The Habilitation Center offers assistance to people with disabilities and provides a variety of vocational support programs, including vocational training classes and job placement services. Laura Copezolle, employment specialist with the Habilitation Center, works closely with center residents and was aware of the employment potential of its skilled workers. In early 1998, she approached Link Staffing Services about the prospect of employing disabled residents from the center. Link Staffing Services hired its first employee from the center in July 1998 and a few months later contracted for two additional employees. When we were first approached about hiring disabled workers, we were skeptical about their ability, but our fears were quickly eased by each employee's skill, dedication and interest in performing well on the job.
Flexibility is key to the program.
With 85 people available to fill 50 positions, Link Staffing Services can place the employees from the Habilitation Center into flexible work schedules. If someone is unable to work one day because he or she is not feeling well or has a doctor's appointment, Link Staffing Services can move someone else into the position until the worker is ready to return. As a result of this successful program, Link Staffing Services received the 1999 Employer of the Year Award from The Able Trust. Created by the Florida Legislature, The Able Trust award recognizes Florida employers who make outstanding contributions to the economy by increasing employment opportunities for Floridians with disabilities. The success of the program has inspired Link's national office in Houston Texas to pursue supplementary opportunities in each of the 54 cities in which it operates nationwide.