Michelle Ouimette, Managing Director at Ability Beyond in Bethel.
Subject: Connecting People with Disabilities with Employment. Michelle says Ability Beyond offers a number of programs, including their Transitions Program, which helps young people with disabilities discover what they are good at and find competitive employment. She says clients attend classes to build their skills in handling money, resume-writing, interviewing and other areas. They also tour businesses and compete internships at local restaurants, hotels, stores and warehouses. They are moved around to see where their strengths are and then teach them ways to increase them. Clients can stay in the program for up to 3 years, but some transition into a job more quickly. Michelle says 70 percent of the youth with disabilities ages 18-25 who complete the Ability beyond Transition Services are employed within 2 years and 29 percent are enrolled in post-secondary continuing education