This is the 7th in a series describing elements along a pathway to employment for persons with disabilities.

Everyone hopes to maintain stable employment. A person with disabilities has the same dreams of being valued and contributing. The professional who supports that person on the job works to ensure that the right supports are there and remain in place so the new employee can be successful and continue to make a difference.

The professional will check with periodically with the employee and the employer to see how things are going. If needed the professional may step back into a more intensive relationship to assist with additional training, orient a new supervisor or co-workers, or help problem solve communication or life challenges. He/she is the advocate for the new employee in negotiating wages, hours, increased responsibilities and career advancement opportunities. The employment plan is evaluated twice a year at minimum and adjusted as needed. The professional will continue to develop the employer relationship and maintain the communications between family and home, the employee and the employer.

The successful outcome of this journey along the pathway to employment is a business with a very loyal and committed employee performing a job that adds value and profit to the bottom line. It is also a person with a disability who receives a pay check for doing work that is valued by his/her employer and who has a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

This is the last in our series describing the elements of a pathway to employment for a person with disabilities.