RHODE ISLAND EMPLOYMENT
SUCCESS STORIES
Sofia
Seth
Administrative Assistant
Grounds Crew
Becca
Emily
General Merchandiser
Self-Employed
Nic
Jesse
Transport
Salon Assistant
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities
Rhode Island College
www.sherlockcenter.org
Denise, Westerly, RI
Laundry Associate, Uptown Salon and Spa
As a laundry associate, Denise washes, dries, and folds laundry using the correct washer
for each department. She cleans dryer lint drawers by using the central vacuum system.
Restocks all bathrooms, hair and nail dispensaries, and supplies. She sweeps floors of the
entire salon. Checks, cleans, and replenishes the coffee station. Denise also empties
garbage, removes old magazines from the lobby that are three months old or older,
replenishes spa area snacks, and assists Salon & Spa
personnel as needed.
Denise works as little as one 6-
hour shift a week during the off season (NovemberMarch) and up to three 6-hour shifts a week during the
busy season (April-September). She started her job in
May of 2014 and was hired at minimum wage.

At the Olean Center day program, Denise began
attending a weekly Job Readiness Vocational Class
and meeting with a job developer to sharpen her
interviewing skills and explore careers.

She went to many “informational interviews” where she would have a chance to
showcase her skills, qualifications, and learn more about different businesses and the
different positions at those businesses. Her “informational interview” at Uptown Salon
and Spa caught her interest. Unfortunately, there were no job openings at the time of
the interview.

Denise and her job developer were told to try back in the spring and to apply for a
laundry position. A couple months later Denise and her Job Developer called back.

Again there were no current openings. Because of Denise’s great interest in this type
of environment, a “Situational Assessment” was then discussed with the employer. The
Situational Assessment being a two week “working interview” where Denise would
perform a large list of tasks to determine her strengths and weaknesses.
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
At the conclusion of her two-week “Situational Assessment” we thanked the owner and
her team for allowing Denise to conduct her assessment at their place of business.
They were quick to respond, “No, please don’t take Denise from us! We love and need
her here.”

Not only did the situational assessment
bring valuable data to her job developer,
it also brought to light to the employer
that there is a need for this position. It
additionally assisted in creating
customized employment by honing in on
the list of tasks that took advantage of
Denise’s great strengths.
“Denise is a perfect fit for Uptown.
Her sunny smile, “get it done” work

Denise’s job coach devised a system of
ethic, and a positive attitude make
color-coded stickers to help her decipher
her an instant hit with our team and
which magazines in the lobby area are
clients alike.”
too old and need to be discarded.
Denise’s Employer,
Uptown Salon & Spa

Initial job development services were
supported by the Office of Rehabilitation
Services (ORS). Ongoing job coaching
check-ins and transportation is supported through BHDDH funding.

Her residential staff transport her on weekends, but she uses the RIPTA / Flex bus on
weekdays.
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Andrew, Providence, RI
Associate Sparkler, Marshall’s
In the summer of 2008, Andrew was 21 and graduated from High School in South
Kingstown. He was enrolled with a DDD-funded agency that he believed would help him
find full-time work in the community. The agency had touted its many connections in
the community during a tour, and Andrew and his family
assumed it would be only a matter of weeks before
Andrew was working full time. Instead, Andrew attended
the agency for three years, working at the part-time jobs
available: counting transparencies in the agency itself,
dog walking, landscaping, and cleaning bathrooms in a
local police station. In every case, these were jobs where
the agency had long-standing contracts for these services.
They were jobs paying below minimum wage.
Andrew and his family became frustrated because when the economy tanked, so did
some of these contracts, and Andrew gradually made less and less money, and grew
more and more unhappy, spending his time sitting in what was called an “all-purpose
room,” not doing much of anything.
Every year at his ISP, the jobs coordinator would state that Andrew was capable of
working in the community, and that year (whichever year it was) would be the year
they would make it happen. ORS supplied money for job coaching, but the coaches
hired were poorly trained, and seemed unable to prepare Andrew for interviews, or to
help him get through them when they occasionally came his way. No one on his team,
other than his family, was familiar with using the “Discovery Process” to determine
which jobs Andrew is most suited to.
The inertia became too much for Andrew and his family. So, three years after
graduating high school they began moving toward Self-Directed Supports through DDD.
When his Self-Directed Supports plan was approved in that fall, they
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advertised for staff through the Swearer Center at Brown University. Using Self-Directed
Supports they were able to offer a decent wage, with a slightly higher pay scale for job
development. They had at least a dozen very qualified applicants.
Andrew and his mother interviewed everyone and made their decisions. That was in
October. By May of that year, the Mt. Hope Learning Center had agreed to hire Andrew on
a trial basis to clean. This offer was facilitated by a staff member who had an inside track
at the Center. Not only did they keep Andrew, but after one year they gave him a pay
raise and praised him for his work.
Not long after Andrew was hired by the Mt. Hope
Learning Center, Andrew’s self-directed job
developer a
df
and supported Andrew
through an interview at Marshall’s where he was
also hired part time. Through discussing the
needs of the store and Andrew’s strengths, the
manager identified that the store looked dull and
needed some brightening. A job was created for
Andrew. He would be in charge of cleaning all
mirrored areas, including dressing rooms, and the
various departments in the Home Goods section
of the store. It would be his job to make the store sparkle. Nearly three years later, he is
still there.
At his one-year evaluation, he was given praise for his consistent and good work (he has
never missed a day, other than the snow days this past winter when the store itself
cancelled), and a 30 cents/hr. raise. When he first took the job, he lived not far from the
store, and his job coach was able to drive him. Since then, he has moved to live
independently. He gets up every workday morning, regardless of weather, to catch the
4:30 a.m. bus to Kennedy Plaza, and then the bus to Marshall’s in Narragansett from
there. He is the embodiment of a good work ethic and one of the most reliable workers an
employer will find.
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Emily, West Warwick, RI
Prep Associate, Buffalo Wild Wings
At Buffalo Wild Wings, Emily works in the kitchen in the
“southwest station.” She portions food items before
they go out to be cooked on the line. Emily uses a
digital scale to weigh the portions – cheese, chicken,
and salad greens. She weighs the proper amounts and
puts them into bags. She also labels the bags with her
initials, date and time, and stores them in a
refrigerator.

Emily attended a 12-week culinary program at the
Trudeau Center. This was funded through the Office
of Rehabilitation Services (ORS).

Through this program Emily became “food safe certified.”

The culinary job developer at Trudeau assisted Emily in finding this job.

She receives the natural support of a co-worker who works right alongside Emily,
sometimes on the same task, sometimes on different tasks. The co-worker helps in
deciding what needs to be done each day. This depends on supply and demand.

Emily uses her phone as a clock (She has to label the bags with the date and time).
She uses the digital scale. She also uses a system of color coding for the various size
bags she uses as well as for labeling the bags with the day of the week.

ORS funded an employment coach to help teach Emily her job.

The employment coach devised a chart system that helps Emily remember the portion
amounts. With this and her natural supports, the employment specialist’s time with
Emily has faded to just periodic site checks. BHDDH-DDD funds these supports
ongoing.

Emily sometimes uses the RIDE para transit as well as the RIPTA Flex bus to get to
work. Sometimes Trudeau support staff transport her.

She works 12 hours a week and was hired at minimum wage. She has been working
at Buffalo Wild Wings for one year.
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Nancy, Central Falls, RI
Clerical Assistant, Alcor Scientific
During her transition planning, Nancy and her family were supported by a bi-lingual
navigator from the Sherlock Center. At a transition IEP team
meeting, during a brainstorming of potential employment
opportunities, her teacher agreed to explore the possibility of
Nancy working at the teacher’s family’s company, Alcor
Scientific. Nancy did an internship there while still in high
school.
After graduation from high school, and following a hiatus for
medical reasons, she applied for and interviewed for a paid
job at Alcor Scientific. She did this with the support of her
family, former teacher, and navigator. The company had
moved locations and realized that working on the second
floor would be difficult, so the company made the accommodation of arranging for a
first floor workspace for Nancy. Her job entails shredding, filing (alphabetical), and
preparing and weighing mail. She was hired at minimum wage and works six hours a
week.
Although Nancy was enjoying her new job, she expressed
interest in taking on more responsibilities and challenges. With
the support of her staff, Nancy negotiated with her employer
to add light assembly to her job responsibilities. She uses
natural supports of her company supervisor and co-workers to
assist her on the job. She has participated at company office
parties and was named most valuable employee at a recent
company celebration.
Her mother drives her to work since the company is not on a
bus line.
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Emily, Kingston, RI
Self-Employed, Love Letters by Emily

My mother created our home-based business, Love Letters by Emily, with the idea that
this would be the perfect person-centered plan for me when I turned 21.
No other
existing Adult Day Program or Integrated Employment opportunities seemed to fit my
needs.

Love Letters by Emily is a line of hand-made
greeting cards and other items based on American
Sign Language.

I inspired its creation in 2012 to share my
knowledge of American Sign Language and promote
a greater understanding of deaf awareness. Love
Letters by Emily provides an opportunity for me to
continue to learn and participate in my own
community and develop job skills in a business with a real global reach as well.

I am the ASL signer for all the photographs used to create Love Letters by Emily
designs. I help in the production of the ASL prints and cards as much as I am able. I
enjoy shopping for ink and paper, picture frames, and all the craft supplies needed for
the business.

I help package and price all our stock, write a thank
you note for each Etsy purchase, and send out our
See Emily at
https:/youtu.be/5m1xA9VJ37M
orders. I also enjoy visiting our local points-of-sale to restock and arrange our
displays and collect money from the sales. Our craft fair schedule and other special
events – card-making workshops, etc. also keep me busy.

My hours vary depending on what needs to happen each day. I may work as little as
one hour a day or up to six hours on a craft fair day.

My family and support staff offer a great deal of help in my work. An iPad and a
desktop computer are necessities for our business – to keep all our photos and designs
at our fingertips for printing. I use an iPad to keep track of inventory at our shops by
taking a photo of each display – and take credit card payments at craft fairs.
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
I use a slant board when I make shopping lists and write thank you notes – It makes it
easier for me to see print on a page.

My direct service workers employed through my BHDDH-DDD self-directed supports plan
serve as my job coaches as well as providing personal
assistance services, language facilitation /
interpretation, and transportation.

Some of my SSI monthly income is used to buy
supplies, and profits from our sales often go back into
the business for craft fair fees and other expenses.

Compliance with the Social Security Work Incentives
program will establish a more formal pay rate should
the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) offer support
in the future.

We have been meeting with an ORS consultant and
have been undergoing an employment evaluation for
the last 10 months – seeking support, mainly for
assistive technology needs.

My family or my direct support staff drive and accompany me to our shop point-of-sale,
craft fairs and functions, and provide transportation for all the business-related errands
– trips to the post office and bank, as well as shopping for supplies.

Our local post office and two points-of-sale (Bagelz and the Fayerweather House) are
within walking distance of home, and in the nicer weather
I am able to walk to these destinations with a staff person
or family member.

I have significant developmental delays and intellectual
disabilities - along with multiple chronic medical
conditions. I have congenital cardiac and respiratory
issues. Micropthalmia means I have vision in only one eye
and no depth perception. I have bilateral hearing loss and
communicate in sign language – I have no spoken
language. My severe scoliosis was treated with surgery in
2013, and I continue to participate in a home-based
physical therapy program.
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Jesse, Westerly, RI
Salon Assistant, Bella Vita Salon
As a salon assistant, Jesse dusts all surface areas
and is responsible for general cleaning of the
entire salon. She sweep around the hair styling
areas, washes, dries & puts away hair dye bowls,
operates the washer and dryer in their
downstairs back storage room to wash and dry
towels, fold/stocks towels, and gathers products
from the storage room to restock the displays.
Jess also makes coffee for staff and customers using the k-cup coffee machine. Jesse works
as few as four hours per week during the slow season (November-March) and as much as
eight hours per week during busy season (April-October). She was hired at minimum wage.

Jesse was attending the Olean Center day program when she told the Olean Job Developer
that she wanted a job in the community. Jesse started attended the Olean Center Vocational
Job Readiness class and meeting with the Job Developer weekly.

Jesse has great people skills and wanted an environment where she would be able to interact
with a lot of people.

Jesse was very excited about an opportunity to work in a salon. It would allow her to
converse with co-workers and clients and to use her experience cleaning and organizing to
help the business run smoothly and to provide good customer service.

One of her first steps was to seek “Informational Interviews” to sharpen her interviewing
skills and learn more about what it is like to work at a salon & spa. Although it was for
practice, by the end of the informational interview at Bella Vita Salon, the employer was
impressed with Jesse and wanted to hire her.

Jess has been performing her job for over a year at the salon. She is accepted as a valued co
-worker and part of their close family-like workplace. She has enjoyed work gatherings and
joined her team in a new employee photo.

Jesse and the Olean Center initially received funding from ORS and received long-term
funding from BHDDH for transportation and for check-ins from a job coach.

The salon provided a step stool so that Jesse can better reach high and low shelves.
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Becca, Warwick, RI
General Merchandiser, Bed Bath & Beyond
I have worked at Bed Bath & Beyond since 2010. I do lots of things there. I clean and
restock shelves, checking for expiration dates, help customers, do online orders, and
help with filing. I work six hours a week and get paid $10 / hour. I have had several
raises over the years.
I first got my job when the store reopened after a flood. My Mom helped. I went for an
interview and was hired. I was still in high school then. If I need help on the job, my
managers have always been there to help. My family drove me to work in the beginning,
but now my self-directed supports staff through Options drive me. (Sometimes my
family still does).
I have some severe health problems and my supervisors at Bed Bath & Beyond are
always supportive and keep my job for me when I need to be in the hospital.
I like working because I have extra money to do some of the things I like in my free
time.
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Jerry, Pawtucket, RI
Assistant Cook,
Pawtucket Day Child Development
My name is Jerry, and I work as an assistant cook
with the chef of a day care program. In 2011 I
started working with the Fogarty Center doing
piecework. At first I thought I would be making a
lot of money. However, sometimes there was no
work and my paycheck was small. After a while I
received a position running the snack bar in the
cafeteria which helped, but I still wanted to make
more money. Finally, I got an opportunity to try
various jobs in the community. Some of those jobs were working a laundromat, a
cafeteria, a kitchen, and working at a Kiosk in the statehouse.
When the summer of 2013 approached, I watched things change. I heard the disability
act was violated by a different program. Soon after some of the consumers at Fogarty
were no longer doing piecework. Instead, they were applying for jobs in the community.
I didn’t want to do piece work all my life. I wanted to learning more about food service.
Working with my employment specialist at the Fogarty
Center and my ORS Counselor, I secured a paid job
opportunity called “The Cook’s Connection”. I attended
the program for 6 weeks and learned various things
about food safety and preparation. I was then ready to
find a permanent job.
A few months later, I was hired into a job as an assistant cook at a daycare center in
Pawtucket two days a week. I keep the dishes and equipment clean, take and deliver
orders from the students, and help prepare meals for the classes. Now I can budget for
events that I like to go to and buy things I like at the mall. I feel more independent than
ever. I am proud of the work that I do and the accomplishments I have achieved.
“Thank you for hearing my story, it is just the beginning!” - Jerry
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Nicolis, Providence, RI
Transport, Miriam Hospital
My name is Nicolis. I work in Transport at
Miriam Hospital. On my job I do lots of
different things. I deliver specimens to the
labs. I sometimes deliver the mail. I make
welcome packets, and this year I get to train
new Project SEARCH interns.
My teachers helped me graduate from high
school. I also had help from ORS and
Perspectives to learn job skills. My last year in high school, I attended Project SEARCH at
Miriam Hospital. Through Project SEARCH, I had a chance to try different jobs at Miriam
Hospital, but my favorite was Transport. In August of 2016, Miriam Hospital offered me a
paid job in the Transport Department for twenty hours a week at $11.50 / hour.
ORS helped after I finished the program.
They connected me to someone who talked
to me and my parents about how my
earnings could work together with my
benefits. On my job I get help from my
supervisors. My family helps me get to work
on time and make sure my uniforms are
clean and ready for the week.
“Working helps me be around
other people. I like working like
my brother and other family
members. I feel good about
going to work every day!”
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Jasmine, Providence, RI
Secretary/Housekeeper,
Women’s Psychotherapy and Counseling Center
Jasmine works at the Women’s Psychotherapy
and Counseling Center doing housekeeping,
sorting documents and business materials,
collating and copying documents, transmitting
facsimiles, addressing mailings, assisting with
billing, and compiling information packets while
complying with a confidentiality agreement.

Jasmine started her support at the Fogarty
Center requesting community paid
employment. Initially, she worked on a
team that did janitorial work.

She also joined the employment-first team
at the Fogarty Center to improve and
enhance her skills. It became apparent that
Jasmine had reading and writing skills that
were never observed on her janitorial job.

She and her family participated in PersonCentered Career Planning to identify her
interests and skills.

“I have never been more pleased
with a staff person. Jasmine is
very focused on her work and
does not waste time while she is
at the office.”
Women’s Psychotherapy and
Counseling Center
The Fogarty Center job developer met with a local Counseling Center which was in need
of a part–time housekeeper. When the job developer met with the business owner,
other tasks that matched Jasmine’s skills were identified, and a new position was
designed with her in mind.

Jasmine was hired as a housekeeper for two hours a week at $10 / hour, and to clean
windows in the summer for an additional hour at $20 / hour.
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Merchandise Associate, TJ Maxx
Jasmine also works for TJ Maxx as a Merchandise
Associate removing packaged items from the
shipping dock in store, unpacking shipping boxes,
“It has changed my life
identifying and separating damaged goods,
completely. It has given
separating clothing and items based on size and
me the ability to do the
specifications, placing appropriate sizing and
things I want to do.”
security tags on store items, hanging tagged items
on stocking racks, and stocking appropriate items
Jasmine
in corresponding locations on store shelves and
surfaces.

Jasmine engaged with an assessment of her retail skills funded through ORS. After the
situational assessment, TJ Maxx hired her for 12 hours a week at minimum wage.

Jasmine used ORS funds to get this job started. BHDDH-DDD funds support her
ongoing monitoring.

She uses Fogarty Center staff (BHDDH funds) to get to work.

Between her two jobs, she has a varied week and contributes using her skills.
“It is wonderful to see the confidence and happiness Jasmine has because of her contributions as an employee at
TJMaxx and The Women’s Center. Jasmine has grown and
will continue to grow as a successful employee within the
community.”
Margarette Phaneuf, The Fogarty Center
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Seth, Portsmouth, RI
Grounds Crew, Green Valley Country Club
Front Desk Associate, Newport County YMCA
As part of Seth’s transition program, he received a
vocational evaluation and a situational assessment.
He left his high school experience with a paid job at
Pizza Hut. His self-directed supports through the
Division of Developmental Disabilities provided job
coaching for this job, as well as support for his other
community activities such as volunteering at the
Newport County YMCA.
After about a year, the Pizza Hut closed. This did not
stop Seth from pursuing employment. His team
looked to his family’s network to identify other
possible employment. He was hired briefly at a small
restaurant. The management did not want a job
coach in the kitchen with him. It soon became clear that Seth really needed a job coach to
complete his duties and the opportunity did not last long.
However, his team also set up
a work trial with the grounds crew at the Green Valley Country Club where Seth had an
opportunity to improve his skills. Before long, he was offered employment as part of the
grounds crew for seven hours a week.
In the meantime, his job coach also approached the YMCA where he had been
volunteering about the possibility of paid employment. There was an opening for three
hours a week at the front desk – checking the ID and the membership database for
patrons coming into the Y. Seth interviewed and was hired for three hours a week with
the possibility of expansion to other duties in the future. He is successful in all of his jobs
with the support of a job coach who helps him with appropriate and clear social
interactions and also helps him to stay on task. His job coach also provides transportation
for Seth to his employment and other community activities. These supports are part of
his DD self-directed plan. He is paid minimum wage at both of his jobs.
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Sofia, Central Falls, RI
Administrative Assistant
Central Falls School District
Sofia works in the main administrative offices at Central Falls School District. She files,
makes copies, sends faxes, and answers the phone. Sofia is bi-lingual, so she also
translates for Spanish speaking families who call or come to the office. Sofia’s personcentered transition team coordinated a situational assessment through the Office of
Rehabilitation Services at the School District Central Offices. Sofia showed that she could
be such a help to the office that they hired her upon graduation.
In addition to some intellectual disability, Sofia has spina bifida and some of the medical
complications that go along with this condition. She uses a wheelchair. Her employer
procured a desk large enough to accommodate her wheelchair. They installed an
automatic door for her ease of entrance and also set her up with a head set and phone
system that connects to a computer.
Sofia’s family assists her with medical care at home so that she is ready for work. She
uses the RIDE program to get to and from work. She also uses the supports of a job
coach through self-directed supports to assist her on the job. Sofia was hired 12 hours a
week at $10 per hour.
“I love my job. Being able to
help in the special education
office, especially with the
families, makes me happy.” Sofia
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Thank you!
The Sherlock Center extends a special thank you to the individuals
highlighted in this booklet for sharing their employment stories
and photographs.
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities
Rhode Island College,
600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908
Phone: 401-456-8072 TTY via RI Relay: 711 or (800) 745-5555
www.sherlockcenter.org