People With Disabilities Risk Losing Funding for Job Services

posted on Feb 23 by Stacy in the Disability News, Employment category

If you ask Michael Medina about his last job he will tell you “Stacey’s Bookstore, That’s No.1, that’s a wonderful store…it’s the biggest bookstore I ever been to. A wonderful store. You can work as you want-long as you want.”

Michael Medina is 52 years old and has developmental disabilities. Last March the book store he worked for went out of business and he lost his job as a janitor. It is a tough job market, but even more so for the Michael Medina’s of the world as every state considers cutting funding that helps to place people with disabilities in jobs.

Medina, like thousands of others is a client of The Arc. A national nonprofit, The Arc offers support services to those with developmental disabilities. Unfortunately they are at risk of losing precious state funding by September. For now, some large national chains are stepping up to the plate in increasing numbers. Companies like Walgreens, McDonald’s and Safeway continue to create opportunities for people with disabilities. For now, Michael Medina with the help of his job coach has been offered a job as a bagger at Trader Joe’s, and is working hard!!!

Has it been hard for you or your loved one to find employment?  Have any non-profits helped you along the way?