NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — More people with disabilities are entering the workforce, many with the help of Department of Human Services programs.
At the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna, they're seeing their student numbers increase steadily. About 500 students graduated from their programs in 2015 which jumped to more than 600 in 2017. Each year, they're helping hundreds of students find their purpose.
After Charles Insignares graduated high school, finding a job wasn't easy. He has Tourette Syndrome and Asperger's and he was turned down several times.
"You have people out there with special needs who might seem confused of what to do with their life because their disability is holding them back," Insignares said.
That's until he found TRC Smyrna. Charles got involved in their training program, which landed him an internship at the Tennessee Department of General Services Warehouse. When he graduated, they offered him a job as a stores clerk.
"I just gave a shot at it and now, I'm out here doing things that I never thought I would do," Insignares said.
TRC Smyrna is one of only eight facilities of its kind in the country. They offer training in everything from manufacturing to food service to auto detailing, as well as housing trainees on site.
They help navigate them through the whole program and even work with businesses to help bring them employees who meet their needs.
"It’s often times the misunderstanding of the abilities and contributions of individuals who happen to experience a disability in the workplace," DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services director of operations Kevin Wright said. "We work with those businesses also to not only determine their needs, but also this great pool of individuals, this talent, that can also serve those needs and get beyond what the preconceived notions are of disability."
Wright knows firsthand. Before landing his gig at DHS, the Vocational Rehabilitation program helped him navigate his career path.
"Often people are told, 'you're not ever going to work.' I was told I would never go to work, but it's getting beyond that and knowing that you can do it," Wright said. "It's pretty exciting."
Anyone with disabilities who's interested in receiving an individualized job plan, training or other services can reach out to their local Vocational Rehabilitation office.
