Employment Support Services
The Dorchester Board of Disabilities and Special Needs provide a variety of vocational, social and recreational opportunities for people with intellectual and related disabilities throughout Dorchester County. Vocational training programs and services are designed to enhance work-related skills offered in a variety of setting. The Dorchester County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs works closely with local businesses to provide work options in which participants have the opportunity to earn money while receiving training to increase job readiness skills.
Our employment services offer people with intellectual and related disabilities the chance to work competitively in a variety of businesses with the support of trained personnel to provide assistance if needed.
Supported Employment
People are supported in community based jobs through our Job Coach program. Job coaches work with consumers employed at various businesses to teach and help maintain skills needed to perform specific jobs.
Mobile Work Crews
Groups of consumers are supported with the help of agency staff as they work around the community at various businesses providing contract work such as landscaping and janitorial services.
Enclaves
Groups of consumers perform various jobs in places of businesses, factories, warehouses, etc. with the support of agency staff. These integrated work settings provide opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to work side-by-side doing the same job.
Center-Based Services
Venture Industries provides a center-based work setting that provides social and vocational support. Participants work on in-house contracts and receive competitive wages for work performed on behalf of community businesses. This program is licensed by the Department of Labor.
Day Activity
We offer non-work activities for people who have reached retirement age and who choose to stop working. The activities are both center and community based.
Self-Advocacy
Our self-advocacy group provides a forum for individuals with disabilities to get together to learn how to speak for themselves as well as how to make independent decisions. The group works to promote awareness of each individual’s rights and responsibilities through activities, projects and social events.