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Employees at United Ability's Gone For Good (used for UWCA), employs people with disabilities — Employees at United Ability’s Gone For Good (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Finding meaningful employment can sometimes be challenging for people with disabilities, but there are tons of organizations across Birmingham that offer training and job opportunities for these individuals.

And, thanks to partnerships through United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), these organizations can continue to positively impact countless people in the Magic City.

To celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we compiled a list of six local nonprofits that blend job training, mentorship and real-world work experience to equip young individuals with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the workforce.

Easterseals offers job training for entry-level roles in Birmingham

Easterseals x Edgar's Bakery used for UWCA — You can find Easterseals participants at Edgar’s Bakery in Birmingham. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

A key part of Easterseals’ mission is a workforce development program where adults with disabilities are placed in entry-level roles throughout the area, offering them a safe and meaningful experience.

Program participants can build skills like:

Critical thinking + problem solving
Interpersonal development + communication
Job readiness
Time management

Some participants work at Birmingham-area companies like Edgar’s Bakery, Brookwood Baptist Hospital, Piggly Wiggly, Trussville Parks and Rec and more!

Easterseals Bham: Website | Facebook | Instagram

United Ability connects individuals to jobs across Birmingham

United Ability Employment Services, used for United Way — United Ability’s Employment Services program helps adults enhance their job skills. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Through early intervention, early learning, adult programs and employment services, United Ability connects people with disabilities to the local community and empowers individuals to live full lives.

United Ability’s employment services offers two programs:

One-on-one support: Job coaching to assist an individual in learning + maintaining a job in Birmingham
Pre-Hire training: Helping individuals with pre-hire needs before they get the job

“One of the ways United Way of Central Alabama supports United Ability is through our Employment Services team, which truly embodies Possibility Beyond Disability™.

This team works tirelessly to connect talented individuals with disabilities to careers and vocations that highlight their unique strengths.”
Susan Sellers, CEO, United Ability

Plus, Gone For Good is United Ability’s onsite document and e-waste destruction company, where many of their adult participants work, and where all profits go back to support United Ability’s programs.

United Ability: Website | Facebook | Instagram

The Arc of Central Alabama, Shelby Co. + Walker Co. has a top-notch employment support program

The Arc of Central Alabama job, national disability employment awareness month — The Arc participants can find meaningful jobs across Central Alabama. (The Arc of Central Alabama)

The Arc’s goal is to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the support and services they need. Through the Employment Support program, The Arc then integrates them into the workforce.

They do this through:

Two-year pre-vocational training to acquire skills before job placement
Small group opportunities like administrative aides, janitorial roles + more
Supported employment through local partners like UAB, YMCA Shades Valley, Sheraton Birmingham Hotel + more

And, there are three ARC locations across Central Alabama that each support families in their surrounding communities.

The Arc of Central Alabama: Website | Facebook | Instagram
The Arc of Shelby County: Website | Facebook | Instagram
The Arc of Walker County: Website | Facebook

WE, Inc. empowers you in every job

WE, Inc. Empower Cafe
USED FOR UWCA — Stop by Empower Cafe in Avondale! (WE, Inc.)

Workshops Empowered Incorporated (WE Inc.) focuses on helping people with disabilities and other barriers to employment reach their full vocational potential.

They do this through initiatives and programs like WE Made, which provides job training in the food service and retail industries.

With their own line of baking mixes, WE Made participants get hands-on work experience, a steady income, job readiness training and graduate with connections to employers around the Greater Birmingham Area.

Plus, WE Inc. furthers its mission through the Empower Café—a dining experience and space where people with barriers to employment gain real-world skills through the service industry.

WE, Inc.: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Everyone should have the opportunity to gain practical job skills—and receive their very first paycheck! These organizations, and the support they get from UWCA, help individuals with disabilities take more steps toward independence.

See more local organizations that United Way of Central Alabama supports, and how you can help, too!

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