ADEC INC

Adult training and vocational services include employment services, adult habilitation and integrated community employment at adec industries. At adec, we promote choice and possibility by providing quality employment services for individuals experiencing life with a disability or barrier. We work with each of our clients one-on-one ensuring his or her goals, interests and abilities are taken into consideration. We seek to develop meaningful employment opportunities while helping them become a qualified candidate for competitive employment through a variety of services, which may include: benefit analysis, vocational testing,situational assessment, job shadow, work experience, job readiness training, job development/search, resume help, interview skills, public transportation training, and shopping assistance. After gaining employment, adec will continue to support the client and employer as they transition and adjust. Depending on the individual's needs, support may include additional training, job coaching on or off site, adaptive technology and job accommodations, self-advocacy, and assistance with interpersonal and communication skills. Adec's skills training program is designed to help bridge the gap between education and employment. The program is open to any individuals with disabilities interested in joining the workforce, but is aimed at upcoming and recent high school graduates. Over the past year in elkhart and st. Joseph counties, we have served approximately 300 clients in various stages of employment services including discovery, job placement, supported employment, and extended services. Adec's adult habilitation services are designed to provide adults living with an intellectual disability a meaningful day, every day. We accomplish this by taking time to discover the abilities and interests of the people we serve, and then challenging them to work at developing those skills, abilities and interests. The key objectives in adec's day service program are to provide opportunities for productivity, recreation and socialization each day. Productivity is accomplished by providing a variety of activities, including; woodworking, art, baking and cooking, photography, sewing, and other "vocational" activities. Recreation is accomplished by providing not only exercise groups, but also organized community recreational opportunities such as individual and team sports (i.e., softball, basketball, bowling, etc.). Socialization is accomplished by offering volunteer opportunities in the community, participating in organized social events and patronizing community shops, services and resources such as the library, parks and restaurants. Adec's assistive technology program integrates the use of technology to help promote independence in those we serve. This is accomplished through training staff and clients on technologies that will give those with disabilities greater independence, researching and implementing assistive technologies in our programs and developing our own technological solutions where there is no existing solution. Adec industries provides employment in a factory environment. Employees work on a variety of packaging and assembly projects serving local industry. Through regular coaching, adec monitors employee progress and provides support as needed to assure success on the job. Adec industries manufactures and sells our silver linings products; trash liners that come in a variety of sizes and strengths. The sales from the silver linings brand trash bags help support the program to continue in its mission.