Community Employment Program
Core Philosophy
Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP) was founded by Doris Brennan, a strong, determined and talented woman who became quadriplegic in a car accident as a teenager. With the support of her family, Doris put her innate abilities to work advocating for and assisting other persons with disabilities. One of her key beliefs was that persons with disabilities are equally capable of doing valuable, productive work and of living full lives, given the right supports and services. She also understood that no one is better able to articulate the needs of persons with disabilities than other persons with disabilities. Since its beginning, LEAP has followed this core philosophy by hiring, training and promoting qualified persons with disabilities to help other persons with disabilities find and retain employment. Each person working at LEAP, with or without disabilities, lives the vision of “total accessibility and complete inclusion” for all.
Compete On Level Playing Field
Most importantly, every employee at LEAP knows that they are part of a team. They believe that all people deserve the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, and advance in the workplace as far as their talents and abilities will take them. This attitude, and the capable performance of LEAP’s employees, are compelling arguments when trying to place a worker with disabilities in community employment.
Leading by Example
Leading by example is always powerful. Employers as well as potential employees with disabilities are able to see individuals with all types of disabilities competently handling job requirements and meeting employer labor force needs in a variety of jobs. When interviewing and making promotion decisions, LEAP staff identify any accommodations that might be needed to make the person most productive.
LEAP’s employees are able to be productive working members of the community while assisting others with disabilities who are unemployed to achieve the same status. Employers can see that this pool of talent is available and that accommodations are generally simple and inexpensive. They can ask questions about the business impact of having persons with disabilities in their workforce and know they are getting answers from a business with relevant experience. They are thus more willing to hire qualified workers who may have disabilities.
Results
The success of LEAP’s practice is demonstrated by the continually increasing demand for its services, which resulted in substantial growth in both revenue and staff size. In the past five years, LEAP has grown from 28 to 55 total employees, of which 33, or 60 percent, are persons with disabilities. In addition, 70 percent of the LEAP Board of Directors are persons with disabilities. The average turnover rate for the past five years is a low 5.5 percent and the number of people with disabilities employed has increased 19 percent. Every employee at LEAP understands that mentoring each other on the job is a personal responsibility. It is inherent in LEAP’s mission-driven value system, and each employee knows the personal reward of promoting equal access to employment.
LEAP
LEAP is one of only a few nonprofits delivering disability services with the Independent Living philosophy of consumer choice and control, while promoting social justice and organizational accountability.We fill a unique roll in the nonprofit community, which recognizes us for fulfilling our mission with compassion and integrity.
LEAP has recently taken major steps toward improving its internal operations, increasing the activism and involvement of its board, and restructuring some of its program activities, thereby increasing LEAP’s effectiveness and presence in the community.
