Telling Our Stories: Bradley

Bradley & Staff filling out new-hire paperwork

Bradley, a young man who is autistic, was referred to Disability Network by a concerned family member. He was facing significant challenges living at home and wanted to gain some independence. Our staff worked with Bradley to help him find his own apartment and work on his independent living skills.

Disability Network staff encouraged Bradley to enroll in Project Search to gain employment training and experience. Project Search is a business-led school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace to provide a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training. As a partner in Project Search, our staff continued working with Bradley to overcome barriers to successful employment. Staff provided independent living skills training, including transportation and soft-skills training to help him understand the expectation of a work environment.

"Charting the Course"Bradley did such a great job during his Project Search training at Lakeland Hospital, they hired him as a permanent employee at the end of the program.

Our partnership in Project Search is one way Disability Network helps prepare young adults with disabilities for their path forward. At Disability Network Southwest Michigan, we are helping people with disabilities chart their course to increased independence in a more inclusive community. We cannot do this important work without your support.