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Employment Services

A UCP of Southern Arizona employment services program. WorkAbility is an individualized and supportive employment program dedicated to teaching and preparing people with disabilities for competitive, integrated and sustainable work opportunities in the Tucson area. We also help with resume building, job searching, interview strategies, assist with job placement, and more.

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What makes WorkAbility one of the best employment programs in Southern Arizona?

  1. We take a holistic approach to job coaching and development by taking the time to develop relationships with our job seekers and employers
  2. We believe anyone can work if they want. Informed choice is key!
  3. We utilize self-determination practices and philosophy in the way we provide employment services
  4. We connect people into employment situations benefiting both the job seeker and employer
  5. We support and believe in supported employment principles, and all of our job coaches and coordinators are trained
  6. We provide a variety of services and supports for people who desire to work
  7. We meet people where they are and expand upon their skills and strengths
  8. We advocate, educate, and inform members, families, and employers of services and supports, their rights, and employment options
  9. We also provide transition-age services throughout southern AZ – offering a bridge to competitive employment, either on-site or on high school campuses.

Why hire people with disabilites?

  1. An employer will receive a skilled and motivated employee
  2. Companies can advertise their participation in our program
  3. By opening job searches to qualified people with disabilities, companies gain access to a new and vital pool of talented worker
  4. A diverse and healthy workforce includes people with different abilities
  5. Companies will have a competitive advantage by adding new ideas, viewpoints, and approaches to solving business challenges 
  6. Employees and customers will appreciate diversity in the workplace
  7. Making accommodations for people with disabilities is usually easy and inexpensive and can actually carry a return
  8. Companies earn an average return of $28.69 for every dollar invested in making an accommodation
  9. Employing people with disabilities makes good business sense because it has a direct impact on the bottom line of a business 
  10. Retention rates among people with disabilities are higher than average, thus reducing training costs
  11. People with disabilities and their families are loyal customers of businesses who support them
  12. Customers with disabilities control the discretionary income of nearly $200 billion (twice the teen market)
  13. Employers can utilize a job coach to provide support and training

WorkAbility Services

Starting Line for Employment Classes

The Starting Line for Employment Classes are 20 weeks long. We have three levels of the curriculum. The classes will complete internships and/or class projects that explore what work looks like and how to do tasks on a job site.  We work with local businesses to provide this experience. There is also an entrepreneurship piece to the curriculum where students can practice selling a product, marketing and making products to sell, and doing research. Below are some of the topics we cover in these programs. For more info contact Brande Kitzberger or Vanessa Zuber at (520) 795-3108:

  • Interest and Skill Assessments
  • Self-Advocacy and Determination
  • Safety on the job, Transportation, and Communication at work
  • Positive Attitude, Enthusiasm, Positive Work Behaviors, and
  • Teamwork
  • Appearance, Professionalism, and Self-Care
  • Applications, Resumes, Interview Strategies, and Networking
  • Independent Living, Sustainability, and Budgeting
  • Disability Benefits 101
  • Job Exploration and Placements…many more! 

Job Development / Coaching

Rehabilitation Instructional Services (RIS) is a VR service that provides instruction in the following areas:

  • Self Advocacy
  • Money Management
  • Employability Skills
  • Cooking and Nutrition
  • Transportation – How to utilize
  • Basic Computer Classes

Job Development is pre-employment supports such as resume building, learning job searching techniques, filling out applications, interview strategies, mock interviews, etc. The goal is to assist people with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining competitive employment in integrated work environments consistent with the client’s selected vocational goal, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. These services can be both VR and DDD services.

Job Coaching is support provided to both the employee and the employer. This may include task analysis, on or off-site training, advocating, conflict resolution, and transition supports that will assist the individual in sustaining the job. The purpose of this service is to support a client while employed in a competitive job making at least minimum wage. The client will receive support on-site with a job coach and may also receive additional skill training away from the job site. The goal of this service is to assist the client in gaining the skills and training necessary so the client retains the job after supports end. This service can be both VR and DDD services.

Supported Education is the supports needed by a student in college. It would include assistance with enrollment in school, the FAFSA, registering for classes, signing up with the Access & Disability Resources (ADR), and monitoring of the student’s progress in classes. For more information contact Julie Williams (520) 795-3108 or jwilliams@ucpsa.org

For more info on all these services contact workability@ucpsa.org

FAQs

What are some benefits of hiring a person with disabilities?
  • Businesses typically gain more revenue when they employ people with disabilities.
  • Expand knowledge of accessibility and accommodations.
  • The culture of the business becomes more diverse and aware.
  • A company receives a person who is excited and desires to work.
  • The business gains new perspectives on how they may manage or run their business practices.
  • Builds partnerships in the community.
  • Tax credit ranging from $2,400 up to $9,600.
  • When working with WorkAbility, they will receive support from job coaches and adapting tasks and training.
How does hiring a person with disabilities have a direct impact on a business's bottom line? 
  • When a customer visits a business and sees the diversity of its employees, this creates more business.
  • People with disabilities are dependable and reliable and this means more consistency and less turnover.
  • The business becomes more aware and possesses a perspective other businesses may not have due to not hiring people with disabilities.
  • There are untapped skills and knowledge when businesses hire a person with a disability. These skills may enhance quality and diversity in the workplace.
What are some misconceptions about hiring people with disabilities? 
  • Hiring a person with disabilities is expensive. FALSE. It is not expensive and is very easy to implement.
  • Disabled people are incapable of working or are a safety risk. FALSE. Studies have shown people with disabilities are capable and are more aware of safety than non-disabled people.
  • People with disabilities rely on benefits to live. FALSE. Relying on benefits keeps disabled people living in poverty. 
  • People with disabilities are difficult to train or work with. FALSE. With proper support from a job coach, employers would have a team of support to assist with any onboarding, training, and tasks of the job.

Employer Resources

We value our Donors!

We use donations and grants to fund our technology needs such as computers, software for our computer lab, and products and equipment for our WorkAbility Cafe.
Donations made to WorkAbility/UCPSA qualify for the Arizona Tax Credit.
Donors can receive a tax credit up to $200 for individuals and $400 for couples. The credit is automatic; no special form is needed.

Contact Us!

Get in touch and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We look forward to hearing from you!

Locations

Tucson

Located just north of the Craycroft and 5th Street intersection, on the northeast corner.

UCP of Southern Arizona
630 N. Craycroft Road
Tucson, AZ 85711-1450

Phone: 520.795.3108
Toll Free: 888.433.3629
On Call: 520.548.4969
Workability: 520.344.8250
FAX: 520.795.3196
E-mail:  staff@ucpsa.org
Workability E-mail:  workability@ucpsa.org

Green Valley

We have a regional office serving the cities south of Tucson (Sahuarita to Nogales).

UCP of Southern Arizona
1131 S. La Cañada Drive, Suite 105
Green Valley, AZ 85614

Office: 520.347.6950
On Call: 520.955.1706
FAX: 520.347.6917
E-mail:  staff@ucpsa.org

Yuma

We also provide services in Yuma!

UCP of Southern Arizona
333 W. 8th Street
Yuma, AZ 85364

Office: 928.259.7700
On Call: 928.750.5554
FAX: 928.259.7697
E-mail:  staff@ucpsa.org

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