Crushing the No: Creating Pathways to Employment and Independence
Do you remember your first job? That moment when someone said, “We are pleased to offer you the position!” That first big accomplishment. It’s a milestone many of us look back on with pride. A rite of passage into adulthood, independence, and forging your own way in the world.
But for many individuals, especially those with disabilities, that moment doesn’t come easily. At the STAR Center, we talk often about our commitment to #CrushTheNo. You may have seen it on our social media, on a t-shirt an employee has donned around town, or at one of our events. It’s more than a slogan. It’s a mindset that drives every service we provide and every door we work to open.
The STAR Center offers a wide range of supports: statewide assistive technology, in-home companion care, music therapy, speech therapy, art therapy, reading intervention, orientation and mobility, and employment services. Each service is designed to meet individuals where they are and identify the tools, resources, and supports that best fit their unique needs.
Today, I want to focus specifically on our employment services and our partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), a collaboration that helps turn “no” into “yes” for so many people.
When you hear the phrase “employment services,” you might think of job searches and applications. And while that’s certainly part of what we do, employment services encompass so much more. Think back to your own first job. Maybe you were a teenager, learning responsibility, building a work ethic, and gaining confidence interacting with the public. Those early experiences shape us in powerful ways.
For individuals with disabilities, those opportunities can be harder to access. Doors close. Applications go unanswered. Interviews don’t lead to offers. That is where the STAR Center and VR can step in.
VR serves individuals with disabilities beginning as early as age 14, helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom and supporting adults of all ages who want to join or rejoin the workforce. When someone meets VR’s eligibility criteria, they gain access to person-centered services designed to help them pursue their educational and/or occupational goals.
VR may refer their customer to the STAR Center for a variety of employment-related services and supports, including: pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS), Project SEARCH (in partnership with the Jackson-Madison County School System [JMCSS] and the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital [JMCGH]), vocational assessments, vocational training, job exploration and sampling, resume building, and either general or supported job placement services.
And because the STAR Center offers many specialized programs under one roof, we can collaborate internally to recommend additional supports when needed. Whether that’s assistive technology, therapy services, or mobility training, our goal is to provide a holistic, individualized approach that gives each person the greatest chance of success.
I want to share a story about a person served through VR and STAR Center services. This individual was initially referred to the STAR Center for both a vocational assessment and an assistive technology assessment after glaucoma significantly reduced his vision. He had spent his career as a truck driver, but his vision loss made it impossible to continue performing the essential duties of his job.
As you can imagine, adjusting to sudden vision loss involves a deep grieving process. When hefirst connected with the STAR center, he had never used a computer without relying on his sight,and he was understandably hesitant to try new tasks or participate in orientation and mobility services. Even so, he agreed to participate in the vocational training program where he began learning how to navigate a computer using non-visual methods.
Over time, he grew more confident in managing daily tasks and adapting to his new normal. That confidence opened the door to additional services at the STAR Center, each one helping him rebuild skills, regain independence, and envision new possibilities for his future. Ultimately, his hard work and willingness to try led to an employment opportunity and to living independently once again.
All of this began with a single referral from VR for an assessment. One assessment led to vocational training, which led to his openness to other services that truly transformed his daily life and restored his independence.
When I step back and look at the STAR Center’s services and our partnership with agencies like VR, I see a puzzle coming together. Every piece matters. Some pieces form the edges, providing structure and stability. Others fill in the center, creating the full picture. Together, we build pathways that help individuals reach their goals, discover their strengths, and experience the pride of hearing “You got the job!”
I’m grateful to play a small part in that process. It’s rewarding, meaningful work, and it’s an honor to help others find their “yes.”
If you or anyone you know would benefit from these services, you can connect with Vocational Rehabilitation by calling 833.751.0597.
