Employment Services

Systems Unlimited provides individualized services and support for adults with developmental disabilities and similar service needs.

Our Employment Systems services include day habilitation programs that promote relationships, self-exploration through art, volunteerism, and community engagement through visits to area attractions.

We also help the people we serve seek jobs in the community and provide support to help them maintain employment.

Employment Systems Programs

Supported Employment

These one-to-one, individualized services help individuals find jobs that pay a competitive wage in the community. Services focus on matching their interests and skills to employer hiring needs. Individual employment strategies include, but are not limited to:

• Customized employment
• Individual placement
• Supported self-employment
• On-the-job coaching

Day Habilitation

These services provide opportunities for individuals to make choices, participate in meaningful activities, explore their interests, build social relationships, develop skills, and connect with the community. They’re designed to meet individual needs, goals, and interests important to quality of life.

Activities include volunteerism, leisure and recreation, health and wellness, personal empowerment, access to the arts, making friends, pursuing hobbies and passions, and more.

Skills Developed

Social & Cognitive Skills
Leisure time interests and skills, advocacy, social interactions, and celebrating diversity

Communication
Development of social communication skills and coping skills

Community
Utilization of public transportation, community resources, safety and emergency planning, understanding human rights (citizenship, rights and responsibilities)

Employment
Career exploration, individualized supported employment, and job coaching

Social Involvement & Community
Scene and Heard Club, Art Program, People’s Council and daily interactions within the local community

Radical Inclusion Through Art

Artists at SUI began in 2018 as part of the Systems Unlimited Day Program. We serve adult artists with disabilities who do not have regular access to art supplies, instruction, adaptive devices, and creative support. By empowering artists with disabilities, we enhance their visibility so they can equally contribute to Iowa’s creative communities and beyond.

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Featured Client Story

Seth McNeish

Seth McNeish began working with our Supported Employment Team in 2012. When he first began services at Systems, he was eager to work, but unsure if it was even possible to get a competitive job in the community. He had never worked before.

Seth began doing custodial work at Systems and contract custodial work with area businesses. He quickly found he could learn new skills and began taking sub-shifts for others. Through his hard work and dedication to his employment team, Seth got his first competitive job in 2015 at HyVee sweeping floors, collecting cardboard, and straightening the aisles. Less than one year later, he got his second job at Casey’s Gas Station.

Today Seth still happily greets customers at Casey’s. When asked about his work, Seth energetically said, “I love my job. I like that I get to interact with and have great coworkers!”

Request More Information

Want to learn more about making a referral? Let us know what type of referral you are interested in and we’ll provide additional information!