Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service

From 2012-2018, the UCEDD had provided community training and technical assistance to Discover Learn Work (DLW) Career Training Services, a service of Ability Beyond, Inc., one of our community partner organizations. DLW provides inclusive, community-based transition and career training services to adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum differences, autistic-like presentations, mental health/behavioral challenges, and other developmental disabilities.

• Employment First because employment leads to other valued life outcomes
• ALL can work (and it is always preferable to be paid with benefits) given customized employment and support
• Services to the unique individuals served must be grounded in trauma-informed and relationship-based positive behavior supports as well as an understanding of the movement, anxiety, communication, and sensory brain differences in autism
• The presumption of competence with recognition of neurodiversity
• The celebration of diversity and recognition that one size does not fit all
• Individualized, person-centered career planning building on each participant’s strengths, interests, preferences, and skills

• Year-Round Career Training Service
• Extended Year Experiences for Families
• Summer Entrepreneurial Program
• Workforce Opportunities Program
• Components of Career Training Services

The Ability Beyond Transition Services website

Rammler, L. H., & Ouimette, M. L. (2016). Where common core meets effective transition: You can have a job. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 44, 249-256. DOI: 10.3233/JVR-160795

Ouimette, M., & Rammler, L. H. (2017). Entrepreneurship as a means to Employment First: How can it work?. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 46, 333-339. DOI: 10.3233/JVR-170870