Real People, Real Jobs

What better way to learn how you can be successful in your search for employment than by looking at what others have done to become successful.

The Real People, Real Jobs website was created for this very reason! The Real People, Real Jobs staff created the website to, “increase awareness of the full range of employment opportunities and support options available and to provide individuals and their support networks with examples that will enable them to think creatively about employment.” The site contains EXCELLENT employment success stories from people with developmental disabilities. Each story follows the person’s success from start to finish and explains what strategies they used along the way. These stories are meant to be read by people with disabilities, their families and employment support professionals. The website also includes a great glossary of work-related terms that spells out each step of the employment process.

Success stories are broken down by the following categories to help you achieve your specific goals:

· Career Planning
· On the Job Supports
· Job Matching
· Job Negotiation
· Funding Strategies
· Job Creating
· Networking
· Interagency Collaboration
· Career Advancement
· Self-Employment

You can use this website as a tool to be successful in your own employment endeavors!

You can also contribute your success story to the website. If you are person with developmental disabilities, or know of a person with developmental disabilities, who has successfully found a job working in the community and you would like to share your story, contact Jennifer Bose by phone at (617) 287-4353 or by email at Jennifer.bose@umb.edu

Visit the website at http://realworkstories.org/home.