Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
How locals with disabilities are gaining job opportunities
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Ask anyone who has employed individuals with disabilities, and they’ll quickly debunk any misconceptions: These workers consistently outpace their peers for punctuality, dedication and long-term service.
However, there can be barriers to getting these willing folks hired, as they often need guidance navigating the job hiring and interviewing process. Fortunately, there’s a partner to walk alongside them.
As we continue to honor National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let’s explore how an important grant helped two Birmingham entities work together to ensure these future employees succeed.
How Motion + United Ability came together
Participants (pictured above) at Motion’s Irondale campus are placed + coached by on-site representatives of United Ability (United Ability)
It all started with a t-shirt.
United Ability, which champions individuals with disabilities year-round, began a collaboration with the lifestyle brand, Life is Good sharing the positive energy that is the foundation of the brand. When they connected with Motion (a long-time Birmingham-headquartered industrial solutions distributor) as one of their fundraising participants, it was an instant match, mostly due to a woman named Mamie Scott.
Mamie is the Director of Culture and Engagement at Motion, and she recognized that Motion would be a great candidate to help pilot United Ability’s Pre-Apprentice Program. Thanks to an awarded grant called Catalyze Birmingham, United Ability and Motion have implemented the first pre-apprenticeship program for individuals with disabilities in the state.
“We were excited coming out of the gate. One of our core values is to be inclusive, and we look for opportunities to engage with parts of the community that are underserved. Folks with disabilities fall into that category.
This program is unique because we’ve got some genuine, respectful, passionate, ready-to-do-well participants who want to be employed, so they come to work knowing whatever they invest is going to be returned.”
Mamie Scott, Director of Culture and Engagement at Motion
As Mamie speaks passionately about what the program has meant to her and her fellow Motion employees, she gives equal credit to United Ability’s Pre-Apprenticeship Coordinator Hannah Rice and Brooke Cox, who is United Ability’s Work-Based Learning Manager.
The work dynamic and enthusiasm these three ladies have is inspiring and contagious, and I loved hearing the care and consideration they bring to their partnership where they truly celebrate these folks as they help them begin their careers.
This program makes it easy + rewarding for employers—and the participants
Any business who signs on for the Pre-Apprenticeship Program will have full support from the caring experts at United Ability. They assign a staff member to be on-site so the participants have a go-to resource. There’s also thorough training of the on-the-job skills.
In Motion’s case, that’s Hannah Rice.
“I really get to know the participants super well and learn to adapt to their skill levels and individual needs.
It’s been incredible to watch them partner with the Motion employees, because they really notice what makes each of our students unique, and they foster that uniqueness.
That’s invaluable because it makes them feel seen.”
United Ability’s Pre-Apprenticeship Coordinator, Hannah Rice, AL-APSE Employee of the Year
Motion has graduated 12 individuals through this program so far—even hiring one part-time with another position pending—and it gives the United Ability team hope to expand to partnerships with other local businesses and fields. They’ve seen high success rates with the majority of participants, citing some who went on to get forklift-certified or trained in welding skills.
“We provide training for businesses on disability etiquette, such as what terms are appropriate to use, how to respond if a client is having a certain behavior and how to provide certain accommodations at work if that’s what’s needed—how to feel prepared to welcome individuals, but also how to have the hard conversations.”
United Ability’s Work-Based Learning Manager, Brooke Cox
It’s also rewarding for the program’s participants, like Jontavious, pictured above, a Warehouse Associate at Motion.
“I’ve learned to build hydraulic pumps and how they worked, which helped me get the job I want and gave me experiences out in the world.
I’m working part-time at Motion and planning to pursue my Automotive Service Technology Certificate at Gadsden State in the spring.”
Jontavious, a Warehouse Associate at Motion
After meeting these inspiring people and learning about this program, I’ve realigned any misconceptions I may have had, seeing that barriers can actually become doors open to opportunity.
Let their story inspire you to think differently about workers with disabilities and explore resources to help grow additional opportunities within your own network.
Want to learn more about United Ability’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program and gain resources for employing individuals with disabilities? Visit unitedability.org.
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