City proclaims National Disability Employment Awareness Month; Crossroads highlights supported employment

MUSCATINE, Iowa — The Muscatine City Council on Oct. 7 recognized October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and heard a presentation from Crossroads Inc. about supported employment services that help adults with disabilities find and keep competitive jobs.

Mayor Brad Bark read a proclamation noting the 80th anniversary of the observance and encouraging businesses and organizations to recruit, hire, retain and advance individuals with disabilities.

Ken Brooks, development director at Crossroads, described the agency's range of services, including supported community living, day habilitation and supported employment. "We connect motivated job seekers with disability to competitive integrated jobs, the same job titles, the same wages, and the same expectations as anyone," said Abby Webb, supported employment manager at Crossroads.

Webb outlined Crossroads' process: individualized discovery and job matching, on-the-job coaching with gradual fading as the employee gains confidence, and ongoing support for promotion or schedule changes. Brooks said the nonprofit has raised about $36,000 in the last two years through a newly formed Muscatine Firefighters Charitable Association to support training and equipment for related programs — and that Crossroads can assist employers with recruiting and screening.

Brooks invited employers and department heads to contact Crossroads for no-pressure conversations to identify job matches, noting the program's potential to reduce turnover and strengthen team culture.

Ending: The council accepted the proclamation and encouraged local partnerships to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.