Moving Forward with Employment: Where Understanding Meets Opportunity

For months, Diane had been working hard to find the right job. She had partnered with her Lifeworks job coach to identify her strengths, update her résumé, and apply to roles that matched her interests. But no matter how prepared she was, the job search was discouraging.

In interview after interview, Diane felt like she had to choose between disclosing her disability or being passed over. Some employers didn’t understand her accommodation needs. Others weren’t willing to try.

“I started wondering if there was even a place for me,” she said.

That’s when her job coach suggested they set up an informational interview as a chance to talk with a local employer in a low-pressure setting, ask questions, and find out what kind of support she might expect if she applied. The goal wasn’t to land the job that day – it was to gather real information and start a dialogue.

They reached out to a nearby manufacturing company whose hiring manager was open to learning more. Together, they scheduled a meeting at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope, a welcoming space designed for conversations just like this one.

The three of them met in the center’s quiet focus room, where Diane felt comfortable and in control of the conversation. With her job coach nearby for support, Diane asked the questions that mattered to her: What does a typical day look like? What kind of training is provided? How are accommodations handled on the job?

The hiring manager was thoughtful and honest. They talked through the responsibilities of the role, shared what the company culture was like, and listened carefully as Diane described the accommodations that would help her thrive.

By the end of the conversation, Diane felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time: hope. Not only did she better understand what the job would require, she also saw a path forward.

And the employer? They left with a clearer understanding of how accommodations can be simple, effective, and beneficial for everyone.

“This gave me ideas for changes we could make for all new hires,” the hiring manager shared. “I’m realizing disability inclusion isn’t complicated – it just takes intention.”

About the Series

This post is part of our new blog series: “A Day at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope.” Each story in the series reflects real experiences shared with us by people who visit the center – whether for Day Support, Employment, In-Home or Navigation Services, or stopping by for a training, education sessions, or community event.

To honor the privacy of individuals and highlight the many ways people engage with the space, names and details are blended to paint a fuller picture of what accessing a Center for Disability Inclusion looks like in everyday life.

Other Posts in this Series

Finding the Right Support Through Navigation Services

Creating Community Through Day Support Services

Gaining New Perspectives on Disability Inclusion Through Trainings