Americans with disabilities are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as the American population as a whole. Individuals with disabilities often find themselves underemployed, forcing them to work jobs that do not make full use of their skills. Easterseals West Alabama’s Workforce Development Department works to promote self-sufficiency among individuals with disabilities and special needs while trying to reconstruct the way the community views these individuals. The work of ESWA helps to bridge the economic gap between those with and without disabilities.

​​"ESWA empowered me to have faith in my abilities. The job coaches provided invaluable support and guidance, helping me achieve my goal of independence through employment after a stroke left me largely paralyzed on one side. I was so inspired by ESWA’s Workforce Development Department, I became a job counselor myself!”
Kerilyn

From the moment a first-time mom finds out she is expecting her first child, through all life stages, including senior citizens, Easterseals West Alabama has programs designed for individuals with disabilities and others. With every program we set out to bridge the outdated barriers created by a society not educated on the ability and only aware of the disability. Participants in our programs come from referrals from doctors, ADRS, schools, and more; and each consumer is treated as an individual with dedicated caseworkers, instructors, and nurses to serve them. With programs designed to aid disabled individuals and their non-disabled peers, we hope to destroy pre-conceived biases. To learn more about our specific program offerings, visit the drop-down menu at the top of the page.