Harbor Industries, the Arc of the South Shore’s employment services’ division is located in North Weymouth adjacent to our main office.  The program offers adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to perform paid subcontract work tasks at our work center as well as opportunities for employment in the community. The program assists individuals become members of the workforce through job skill acquisition, job preference/ability evaluation, job recruitment, on-the-job training, transportation and activities of daily living instruction. In-house opportunities consist of light assembly, custom packaging, collating, poly-wrapping, and various mailing services. We have launched a note card business called Harbor Cards, which showcases original illustrations created by Harbor Industries’ participants.  All production of these cards occurs within our work center with the proceeds directly benefiting Harbor Industries.

For those ready to work in the community our Supported Employment program provides many benefits to people with disabilities.  These include access to paid work, which increases personal relationships, community participation, self-esteem, economic self-sufficiency and dignity. Our program matches the skills and likes of an individual with the needs of the business.  Job Coaches support our participants in a variety of settings including the Individual Job Model, the Enclave Model in which a small group of individuals work in the same business and the Mobile Work Crew Model that involves traveling to different work sites while performing tasks to meet the need of the business.

Services

1. Paid work opportunities in-house and in the community

2. Work skill assessment and evaluation

3. One-on-one and small group instruction

4. Case management

5. Dedicated, long-term professional staff

6. Computer training

7. Speech Therapy consultant

8. Behavior Management

Resources

Department of Developmental Services
DMR is the primary state agency providing funding and supports to Massachusetts residents with mental retardation and their families. Provides case management for eligible consumers. Funds residential, day/work, transportation, and family support programs.

Institute for Community Inclusion
A Mass.-based research clearinghouse that provides numerous online resources for individuals with disabilities. Hosts the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC), which works to identify, expand and support strategies that are successful in helping individuals with disabilities obtain employment.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)
A state agency which provides funding and counseling to help individuals with disabilities attain the skills necessary to secure employment.

One-Stop Career Centers
Managed by the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training. Local Centers provide referrals, a computer database of job openings, and counseling services for individuals seeking employment.

Living & Working with a Disability: Tax Benefits & Credits*
This publication from the IRS presents basic information about existing tax credits and benefits that may be available to qualifying taxpayers with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and businesses or other entities wishing to accommodate persons with disabilities.

The ADA & Your Employment Rights as an Individual with a Disability
Plain-language fact sheet from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission explains the employment-related rights that the Americans with Disabilities Act provides to people with disabilities.

Q&A on Job Applicants and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Fact sheet from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission addresses common questions about how the ADA protects job applicants with disabilities. Includes information about reasonable accommodation for the application process and tips for discussing disability and accommodation with a potential employer.

National Center for Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities has an excellent website page providing information for individuals with Learning Disabilities detailing tips for workplace success and choosing the best job for you, and discusses the best ways to disclose disabilities at work and get the accommodations you need.