Breaking Barriers - Fall 2016

Disability and employment. Although the unemployment rate of people with disabilities is about double that of people without disabilities, both employers that have hired people with disabilities and people with disabilities who have found employment have stories to tell.

Church Family Supports Dream Job
Rachel Schuld gets back and forth from a job she loves thanks to members of her church. 

Stephanie an MVP in Proving Herself
Stephanie Uthoff, who has learning disabilities and cerebral palsy, loved her job, but then she was asked to reapply.

Work Blends Heart and Hand
Leslie Koning, who has severe, multiple disabilities, blends heart and hand with her bird seed business.

Serving Students with Empathy
God used Peter Gordon's winding career path to lead him to found a ministry with college students who have disabilities.

Employment Partnership a Win-Win
Becky Oudshoorn describes how two businesses teamed up so that seven adults with disabilities now work at jobs they do well.

'I Am Glad When I Can Help Others'
Senior citizens and staff at Shalom Manor call laundry worker Diana Wallingford "Smiley" with good reason.

Editor's Note—Employment Connections
Because churches are inherently relational, they are ideal communities to assist people with disabilities who are seeking employment. 

Online Only

A Job Offer Knocks on the Door
Ed Roorda did all he could in his job search, then God brought a job to him. (See the article as an attachment below.)