Preparation for Adulthood

Customized Employment

In the section above, we noted that job coaches can help people with disabilities to negotiate customized jobs. Sometimes the person with the disability is not able to meet all of the current requirements for one or a number of jobs, but has real skills that match up with the needs of the employer. In this case, a new job can be formed that matches the skills of the person with a disability, and this is called customized employment. Additionally, a currently existing job can be split between two individuals.

In general, there are many positives to customized employment. People with disabilities receive a job that is rewarding for them because they are good at it, and at the same time their employers are pleased with the work of their employees. Additionally, it has been shown that there are no significant costs related to creating customized employment because most often these individuals are filling needs that are not currently met within the workplace. Coworkers also appreciate the opportunity to work alongside people with disabilities, just like you appreciate working with your peer buddy.

Read the following stories of individuals for whom customized employment has worked:

You can see that all of these people are performing jobs that contribute in important ways to the organizations that they are a part of. In addition, all of them were able to find work that meets not only their skill set, but also their interests. In the last story, customized employment during the transition period is specifically focused upon. Just as for you, the first job for a student with a disability will probably not be that student’s “dream” job, but it can and should be a job that matches the student’s skills and interests in a broader sense.

Creating customized employment requires the employer and the job coach take the time to learn a lot about the person with the disability to create the right position to meet his or her needs and interests. In the future, you could be a wonderful asset to your peer buddy’s team. Imagine that a job coach or vocational rehabilitation counselor, with the permission of your peer buddy, has come to you to learn about your peer buddy. Write a letter describing your friend’s strengths, skills, and interests. If you do not already have a buddy, think of a custom job for yourself that would take into consideration your talents and interests.