Welcome to the Work Experience Program

At Expandability, our Work Experience is a program where you get to try out different jobs in real workplaces to learn and improve your work skills. It’s not meant to guarantee a permanent job, but it helps you learn things you can use in any job. Designed as a comprehensive learning experience, this program opens doors to real-time work settings, offering a transformative journey for participants aged 18 and above with disabilities by providing the opportunity to complete 100 hours of paid work experience.

During the Work Experience Program, you’ll:

• Try different kinds of jobs
• Learn basic work skills
• Gain confidence and learn how to speak up for yourself
• Explore different job options
• Get references from employers
• Understand how workplaces function and what employers expect
• Learn specific job-related skills
• Get paid and learn how to handle money

What to Expect

Kickstarting your journey, our Career Service Coordinator collaborates with you, the participant and DOR staff (if available) in a series of meetings. Together, we complete necessary paperwork, crafting the Individual Service Plan (ISP). During this process the participants may invite additional stakeholders—parents, guardians, or representatives—to join the meeting, ensuring a comprehensive plan tailored to individual needs.

The ISP covers:

• Identifying service needs
• Establishing goals and objectives
• Outlining strategies and roles of team members
• Monitoring progress and service integration

You will also be coach on the following:

• Creating a professional appearance and mastering effective workplace communication.
• Resume crafting standout resumes and completing applications, empowering participants to shine on paper.
• Honing on interview skills, including invaluable practice with mock interviews.
• One-on-one support tailored to individual needs, ensuring a smooth transition into the workplace.
• Offering 20+ hours of personalized assistance, our team guides participants through the onboarding process and continues to provide additional support until they master their work tasks.