For David, perseverance, creativity, and braiding of resources have come together to make it possible for him to have a job in line with his longtime dream of video and media work. After 15 years of struggling to find employment suitable to this dream, David and his support agency, CHI Centers, turned to the Maryland Customized Employment Partnership (MCEP) to get help to identify a paid opportunity that would match his interests and skills.

The challenge for David and his MCEP Career Specialist was finding a position that matched his interest in media while capitalizing on his ability to use his right hand. David is able to perform repetitive tasks which do not require extreme hand dexterity or visual acuity. He needs an accessible work environment that provides an opportunity for him to perform a task with limited use of one hand, has consistent job expectations, allows for a slow steady work pace, and provides some consistent social contact with people who can become familiar with understanding his speech.

A number of resources were coordinated and organized for David to succeed in his job search. The process involved several steps and resources including: 

• Informational interviews 
• Job trials 
• One Stop Career Center computer workshop 
• Skill building and assessment at Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic 
• Travel training information and trouble shooting accessibility and accommodations on public transportation with the Metro Accessible Project of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). 
• Community college coursework funded by the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). While enrolled in Field Producer, David co-produced a short piece on mental illness and learned coordinating, planning and shot composition. 
• Job Coaching provided by CHI Centers, funded by Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). 
• Assistive technology assessment funded by DORS.

After patient, systematic work to identify David’s interests and develop his skills and experience, David is now working as a Duplication Associate at Video Editor where he is responsible for duplicating DVDs, CDs, packing up CDs, timing and checking tapes. He recently had his job duties expanded to include transferring video cassettes to DVDs. With Division of Rehabilitation Services funding, David will have an assistive technology assessment at his new job to identify any possible assistive technology that could help him to be more effective and efficient at his job.

David’s job search came to fruition through braiding of resources including: DORS, CHI Centers, One Stop, Montgomery College, WMATA, and DDA. These resources came together in a seamless, non-duplicative process making it possible for David to get a customized job that matches his interests and skills.

For more information about Customized Employment, please visit the Maryland Customized Employment Partnership Website.