Outside the Box: Reaching Beyond Barriers to Develop Self-Employment and Community Opportunities

Outside the Box: Reaching Beyond Barriers to Develop Self-Employment and Community Opportunities

Steve Mannard is a 26-year-old Des Moines native who lives with his parents and loves the outdoors.  Steve’s employment journey took a turn when his three-year career at the local fire station ended after an unfortunate incident.  Traditional employment options didn’t fit Steve’s unique needs and so collaboration and creative thinking led to the creation of a community art studio and Steve’s own business!  With support from his family and job coach, Steve is creating and selling artwork on-line through his website www.PaintingOutsideTheLines.org.

Presenters: Steve Mannard, Judy Mannard, Lindsay Mora and Chuck Goodwin

Image: Jeff Grace, a white man with dark-rimmed glasses and gray hair wearing a light blue vest over a dark shirt, smiles.
Image: Chuck Goodwin, a white man with dark brown curly hair and beard, wearing a red Polo shirt, smiling and slightly squinting in the sun.

Steve Mannard

Chuck Goodwin

Steve Mannard

Steve Mannard has lived in Des Moines, WA all his life.  He loves the outdoors, painting, and being with his family.  Steve attended school in the Highline School District, and eventually graduated from the Community Based Services transition program when he was 21 years old.  Steve is non-verbal, diagnosed with Potocky-Lupsky syndrome and autism.  After school, Steve worked for three years shredding paper for South King Fire and Rescue.  An unfortunate behavioral event at work led to Steve losing his job.  Given Steve’s love for art, his parents worked with ENSO staff to create a business for Steve where he sells his art on-line.  Steve has a job coach from ENSO that supports him as he paints, weaves and expands his skills. 

Judy Mannard

Judy Mannard has spent her life in Des Moines, WA.  She and her husband have 2 daughters and a son.  As a Mechanical Engineer, Judy worked at Boeing and as an engineering instructor at Highline College.  When her son Steve finished his public-school program, she stopped work to be home with him.  After Steve lost his job at the fire station, and neither a job coach or another job was available, Judy helped Steve start his own business, Painting Outside the Lines.  Steve sells his paintings, weaving, cards and other art on-line.  To provide a more social environment for Steve to work in, Judy also created Des Moines Open Door Arts, an art program for adults with disabilities.  This allows Steve and others a unique opportunity to come together in a safe, welcoming, creative space to make art!

Lindsay Mora

Lindsay Mora has known Steve his entire life.   She began providing residential support services for Steve in 2022.   When Steve’s business was created she was recruited as a job coach.  Having Lindsay as his job coach has provided Steve the support he needs to expand his talents  and skills.

Chuck Goodwin

Chuck Goodwin has worked for over 30 years with individuals with developmental disabilities in a variety of capacities. He has worked in both the residential and vocational arenas providing direct support for individuals. For the past 13 years as a private consultant around the Northwest, he has provided trainings on such subjects as positive behavioral supports, history and values around services, job coaching, supporting individuals with challenging behaviors, precision training, natural supports, utilizing community resources, and vocational issues. He has provided technical assistance to employment agencies around teaching individuals difficult tasks using universal design, understanding and supporting individuals with challenging behaviors, creating schedules, analyzing and modifying work flow issues, working with speed and quality issues, and teaching self-management. His passion is helping individuals who are struggling to find success. He continues to work individually with people and their families to help them realize their potential.

 

The employment Journeys of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Who Experience Disability: Outcomes of the Diversity Works Research

The employment Journeys of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Who Experience Disability: Outcomes of the Diversity Works Research

Learn about the outcomes of Diversity Works: An Exploratory Research of the Employment Journeys of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Who Experience Disability.  Together we will explore our understanding of intersectionality and discuss strategies for the workforce development sector to effectively support clients who hold multiple intersecting identities.       

Presenters: Ashley Hammond and Shifat Ara

Shifat Ara, Director of Communications, CASE, smiles at the camera.

Ashley Hammond

Ashley is the National Trainer at CASE. She brings over 10 years’ experience working in several roles in the non-profit sector. Throughout her career, she’s always held a passion for career development and experiential learning. She has facilitated a variety of in-person/online professional development events.

Shifat Ara

Shifat Ara is the Director of Communications at the Canadian Association for Supported Employment. Shifat brings a background in project management and has previously led research on intersectionality for CASE.

Community Inclusion-Perspectives from the Field

Community Inclusion-Perspectives from the Field

In this webinar, you will learn about what is working with Community Inclusion from 3 perspectives. Kayla Wilson from AtWork! Will share from her perspective what she is doing to connect people to new opportunities. Annette Walker will share about her journey of sharing her talents and hopes for more connection. Katherine Titus will talk about what is happening state-wide with community inclusion and provide some tips to elevate what’s possible for a more diverse, connected community.

Presenters: Kayla Wilson, Annette Walker, and Katherine Titus

Kayla is sitting in front of a white blank wall. She is wearing a black shirt that has a red, yellow, and green floral pattern and is wearing gold hoop earrings. She has long blonde hair and is smiling at the camera.
Description: Katherine is sitting in front of a window and a globe. She is wearing a black shirt, has long red hair and is smiling at the camera.
Description: Annette is sitting in front of a window and television. She is wearing a white and black striped long sleeve shirt, has short brown hair, and is smiling at the camera.