Disability Employment Services in Kansas City

For those who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Ability KC offers specialized employment services delivered by a specially trained team of experts in the areas of brain injury, neuroscience, assistive technology, and more, to meet the specific needs of individuals seeking employment after a TBI. Our passion and goal is to ensure the employee has a successful transition into the work environment.

Ability KC’s Return-to-Work Navigators provide enhanced service navigation to patients receiving medical rehabilitation at Ability KC. These navigation services will support a seamless, efficient transition between medical care and the community independence services these individuals need to return to work and home. The Navigator helps the individual reach their employment goals more quickly by removing barriers to employment. The Navigator works closely with clinical, non-clinical and employment services staff to identify critical resources for patients, helping them navigate their post-care services in preparation to return to work.

Ability KC also offers a Summer Work Experience program in conjunction with the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to support a paid work experience and training for high-school age youth. The six-week initiative provides a paid, competitive and integrated employment opportunity for students entering their junior and senior years of high school. Participating students work 20 hours per week to develop a range of job skills as well as soft skills such as effective communication, teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking. Ability KC currently works with 34 school districts to provide these services to local students.

Ability KC’s Project SEARCH Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program for students that have completed high school academic requirements. Project SEARCH seamlessly combines classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. Ability KC partners with Children’s Mercy Hospital, the North Kansas City School District, Ronald McDonald House of Charities, University Health and the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry to provide youth living with a disability a proven path toward job and career readiness.

Since 1989, the Adaptive Computer and Communication Technology (ACCT) Program at Ability KC has been providing opportunities for greater success and independence through the use of assistive technology. Children, adults and families work with Ability KC’s experienced team to identify, acquire and learn how to use assistive technology tools for everyday needs in their home, work, school and community. Learn more about ACCT.

At Ability KC, we empower all individuals to reach their greatest level of employment potential and recognize that not everyone can thrive in a traditional, competitive workforce environment. For close to 50 years, we have partnered with local companies to meet their business needs while providing hundreds of adults with disabilities a sense of community, lifelong relationships and meaningful employment through Ability KC Industries.

Ability KC Industries has a team of trained and professionally supervised individuals ready to assist employers with their production needs—from intricate assembly, detailed handwork, collations and envelope stuffing, to special packaging, and more. Ability KC Industries can also come to company job sites.

Our passionate team knows every individual’s lived experience and their aspirations for the future, providing individualized employment planning and case management services to all who are employed at Ability KC Industries.

The job placement rate of individuals participating in employment services programs is currently 58%, with 68% of those individuals retaining a job after 90 days.

Yes, Ability KC’s employment teams partner with local businesses to help high school students living with disabilities prepare for their future as they transition into adulthood. These programs build critical work skills and offer paid work experience along with unique learning opportunities.

Caregivers are welcome to visit on the first day to address questions or concerns and discuss goals. After the first day, caregivers are always welcome, but are not required to attend.