What are the key elements in successful customized employment stories?
Communication is really important. In a successful customized employment story, the employer and the employee need to communicate clearly. For instance, an employee with a mental health condition might need certain breaks or a quiet workspace. If they can communicate this to the employer, and the employer is receptive, it can lead to a great employment situation. Also, training and support play a big role. A person with a physical disability might need special training to use adaptive equipment in the workplace.
The identification of the individual's passion or strength is crucial. Take the story of a person who loved animals but had a physical disability that limited movement. A pet store customized a job for him where he could do tasks like answering phone calls for pet advice and managing the store's social media accounts related to animals. Additionally, a positive and inclusive company culture is essential. When the whole team is supportive, the customized employment is more likely to succeed.
One key element is understanding the individual's capabilities. For example, if someone has a visual impairment, the employer needs to know how much they can see and what accommodations are needed. Another is flexibility in job design. Just like in the case where an autistic person was given a job in a library. The tasks were adjusted to his repetitive behavior, like shelving books in a particular order all day.
