After 14 years as coordinator of employment services at Stone Belt Arc, Joyce Resler's duties have been consistent. She still works daily to pair clients with careers that match their abilities, interests and strengths.

But she's also seen plenty of change at the local nonprofit advocacy organization for citizens with disabilities. And she has recently noticed a big one.

In the past, the jobs she found for clients were typically entry-level.

"When I first started, it seemed like most with special needs were in janitorial, cleaning, housekeeping, food-service-type jobs," Resler said.

But she has noticed an overall rise in the willingness of employers to hire employees with disabilities for more advanced, complicated positions.

"I'm seeing so many people advance and do different things," she said. "Employers are becoming more comfortable with hiring those with disabilities, especially with our program."

Numbers rising

Every year, the number of citizens with disabilities in the workforce grows steadily.

According to the U.S. Census, 10.4 million men and 8.2 million women with some disability - including mild, severe, mental and physical - were employed in 2000.

Today, at least 56 percent of the population with a disabilities is employed.

As work-service programs develop through facilities such as Stone Belt Arc, which helps its clients live semi-independently and find employment, more workers with disabilities require more jobs.

"Our work-service program here at Stone Belt helps well over 100 clients, more than ever before," said Resler.

The job search

Resler

and her staff guide clients step-by-step through the job-finding process, from applications to interviews. The staff is especially helpful at this phase, said Resler, because many with disabilities cannot read or write.

Once clients are hired, staff members help them with the training process and basic education regarding the particular jobs' expectations.

Staffers then slowly ease out of the clients' work lives so they can be independent on the job.

Work service programs give those with disabilities the edge they need to become self-sufficient employees, Resler said.

"These programs are absolutely essential to the growth of employment of the disabled," she said. "Everyone needs to feel that they are contributing to the community to really develop self-esteem."

Early involvement

Not only is self-esteem achieved through employment, but so are basic work skills. Resler said many school districts develop work-study programs for those with disabilities as early as freshman year, preparing them for life after high school.

Bloomington High School North has a work-study and supported-employment plan that eases students with disabilities into the workforce.

This program originated in 1990 and is more beneficial for students now than in the past because of constant improvements, according to Nancy Kalina, a North special education teacher and work-study coordinator.

"The biggest appeal of our work-study program is that we help students realize what they really want to do when they grow up," Kalina said. "The rule of thumb is that students must simply love what they are doing."

Often, students are driven not only by a love for their new careers, but because they see employment and paychecks as independence.

Kalina said she was particularly encouraged by one student who saved up $60 last Christmas and for the first time ever bought presents for his family without financial help.

"I think that there are young kids that we open up another world to, who are very frustrated with academics," Kalina said. "They are very proud of themselves for earning a paycheck and supporting themselves, and that's what I'm here for."

The perfect employer

While programs at facilities for citizens with disabilities emphasize lifelong work skills and work ethic, employers can sometimes cause problems, Kalina said. They can be so patient and giving that they hinder the learning process.

"Good supervisors will teach my kids," she said. "I like to see rules and authority, because I find when someone is skeptical and hands-on, they make a bigger impact in the long run. As a whole, employers in Bloomington are very supportive."

Often non-profit facilities do more than aid clients on the job search. Many times, they are the employers. Both Stone Belt Arc and Options for Better Living take pride in hiring those with disabilities.

"We are completely open to employing those with disabilities," said Matt Brookshire, director of the Life, Enrichment, Activities and Participation (L.E.A.P.) program at Options for Better Living. "I would not think twice about giving someone with a disability a chance."

Ashlee Lynn Deon can be reached at adeon@indiana.edu.