This month, as the U.S. recognizes National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Goodwill Manasota is calling on area businesses to consider hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which takes place in March each year, is an opportunity to increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities. Intellectual and developmental disabilities may include Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other disorders. When President Reagan initially proclaimed the observance in 1987, he said, “I urge all Americans to join me in according to our fellow citizens with such disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”Goodwill Manasota is dedicated to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve personal and professional success through its employment and training programs. While the organization employs numerous employees with a range of disabilities and other impediments to finding work, Goodwill’s Supported JobsPlus (SJP) program targets sustainable employment for those with significant disabilities. It identifies positions throughout the organization to earmark for a person with a disability. Through partnerships with agencies throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties, individuals who have been unsuccessful obtaining employment elsewhere and have a desire to work are referred to Goodwill. Currently, Goodwill Manasota employs 84 team members, nearly 11 percent of its total workforce through the SJP program.

Goodwill Manasota