Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Rise offers two programs specifically for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Day Training and Habilitation Sensory Support program works with people who have intellectual disabilities and dual sensory (blind and deaf) disabilities, who are ages 18 and older.
Participants benefit from customized employment and community integration opportunities, including career planning, center-based employment, job development, job coaching, community integration, behavior management, and supported employment.
The mission of the Minnesota Employment Center (MEC) for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing is to provide comprehensive employment services which lead to competitive and supported employment positions consistent with individual career plans and goals.
MEC offers:
- Pre-employment evaluations and assessments
- Career planning and goal-setting
- Job-searching skills
- Job coaching
- Developing communication to facilitate workplace communication
- Information about adaptive devices
- Deaf culture awareness training for co-workers
- Continued career planning
- Ongoing support to assist in career satisfaction and advancement
People using MEC’s customized employment and job placement services work in a variety of companies throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including retail stores, child care centers, restaurants, manufacturing businesses, offices, and hospitality venues.
MEC also works with students, ages 18-21, in ISD #287’s VECTOR program who have employment-related goals written in their school Individual Education Plan (IEP) and need assistance in planning their careers. This MEC / VECTOR partnership was made possible through a $100,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) / Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
Visit MEC’s website at www.mnemploymentcenter.org for more information.
MEC is offered by Rise in collaboration with Lifetrack Resources and Minnesota Rehabilitation Services.
