Future Employment Options for Your Child with Complex Needs

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Don’t underestimate the value of successful employment for your child who is blind or low vision with complex needs. Successful employment provides: 

• Opportunities to engage in meaningful, structured activities outside of the home 

• Opportunities to increase social interactions and foster relationships 

• Opportunities for personal and professional growth 

All of these contribute to a positive self-concept and a satisfying, emotionally healthy life. 

Although work brings enormous benefits, finding the right job can be challenging. Rather than seeing obstacles as dead ends, use them to spark creative solutions. 

Start with a person-centered planning meeting—your child, family, and professionals share insights on interests, strengths, goals, and needs. Together, you’ll explore job options tailored to your child, from roles for those with mild disabilities to lifelong support positions. Below is a summary of each pathway, with pros and cons. 

A Standard Job with Accommodations 

The team may recommend your grown child pursue a standard, competitive job with accommodations. To identify necessary accommodations, your child (or the support team) will perform a job analysis and determine accommodations according to your child’s unique needs and specific job goals. 

The advantages of working a standard job and using accommodations include: 

• Involvement in typical work responsibilities 

• Earning competitive wages with opportunities for promotions and raises 

• Opportunities to socialize and work within the general community 

• The pursuit of jobs tailored to the individual’s unique skills and interests 

There are no disadvantages for an individual who is prepared to work a standard job with accommodations. 

Supported Employment 

Supported employment pairs your child with a job coach from the local vocational rehabilitation agency to help them find and keep work that matches their strengths and interests. The coach can create a custom role or support them in a competitive job, self-employment venture, or small enclave workplace. They also arrange skills training, monitor job tasks, and provide ongoing guidance through challenges or transitions. 

The advantages of participating in supported employment include: 

• Involvement in structured activities and responsibilities outside of the home 

• Earning at least minimum wage but with opportunities for promotions and raises 

• Opportunities to socialize in the general community 

• Job tasks tailored to your child’s unique skills and interests 

• Skills training 

• Long-term support as needed 

The only concern with supported employment is securing lifetime funding for the support. Agencies related to the individual’s specific disabilities should collaborate and blend resources. 

Enclave 

Your grown child could work within an enclave, a workplace with six or fewer individuals with complex needs. Your child would work alongside peers with and without disabilities, typically in assembly and production lines. Payment would likely depend on units assembled or produced. If supported employment is available, the job coach will assist your child in obtaining appropriate tasks and providing skills training. 

The advantages of employment within an enclave include: 

• Involvement in structured activities and responsibilities outside of the home 

• Earning a small amount of money 

• The opportunity to socialize with peers 

The disadvantages of employment within an enclave include working where people with disabilities already are instead of working in a position that takes advantage of the individual’s strengths and interests. Additionally, your child would not benefit from working within the general population. 

Mobile Crew 

A mobile crew could provide supervised employment for your grown child among a small group of individuals with complex needs. The individuals within the mobile crew would be given specific job tasks within the community. Tasks may include cleaning offices, landscaping, or hauling trash. Mobile work crews are generally paid according to completed job tasks. 

The advantages of employment within a mobile crew include: 

• Involvement in a variety of structured activities and responsibilities 

• A variety of work environments 

• Supervised employment 

• Earning approximately minimum wage 

• The opportunity to socialize with the crew members and, minimally, in the community 

The disadvantages of employment within a mobile crew include colleagues who do not represent the general population. 

Sheltered Workshop 

A sheltered workshop offers employment exclusively for individuals with significant disabilities. Workers perform repetitive physical tasks such as sanding furniture, assembling items, or sorting objects in this setting. All work occurs on-site, and wages are based on the number of tasks completed. 

The advantages of employment at a sheltered workshop include: 

• Involvement in structured, supervised activities and responsibilities outside of the home 

• Earning a very small amount of money 

• Opportunities to socialize with peers who have complex needs 

• Straightforward job tasks tailored to individuals with multiple disabilities 

The disadvantages of employment at a sheltered workshop include isolation from the general population and working for a sub-minimum wage. 

In some communities, there are community rehabilitation providers that have sheltered workshops that specialize in providing services to people who are blind. These are sometimes referred to as Lighthouses for the Blind. However, sometimes, a community Lighthouse may provide services but not have a sheltered work component. Those who provide the work fall under a program administered by National Industries for the Blind. 

Day Programs 

It may be most appropriate for your child to attend a day program that offers emotional, physical, and medical support to adults with significant disabilities. A day program provides social and recreational activities, assistance with activities of daily living (eating, dressing, etc.), and opportunities for community involvement. The program may even offer volunteer opportunities for your child. 

The advantages of attending a day program include: 

• Involvement in structured, supervised activities outside of the home 

• Opportunities to socialize with peers who have significant disabilities 

• Intermittent community involvement 

• Substantial support and supervision 

There are no disadvantages to attending a day program for an individual who requires maximum support levels. 

Your child’s needs will change over time, so the best workplace, accommodations, and supervision levels may also shift. Whenever possible, choose settings alongside the general population. These environments boost social and job skills and allow your child’s strengths to enrich the broader community. 

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