Program opens doors for disabled in workplace 

By Wes Woods II
Daily Forty-Niner

For former and current Cal State Long Beach students such as Robert Wendt, WorkAbility IV not only train potential workers, it can also lead to employment.
 
WorkAbility IV is a career development and employment placement assistance program offered by the Career Development Center, Disabled Student Services and the State Department of Rehabilitation for students and alumni with disabilities. 
 
Wendt, who is legally blind, entered the program in 1993 and is now a counselor for the Career Development Center. 
 
"I was given help with preparing my resume, [doing] mock interviews, and job leads," he said. 

Wendt said he was hired by the center in June 1997 for part-time work and was hired as a full-time employee in December 1998.
 
"[WorkAbility IV] helps inform employees to be aware of hiring people with disabilities," said Marcia Pierce, a job developer for the program. 
 
The program consists of an Employer Advisory Council, who meet bi-annually to assist in finding strategies and work for students. The councilís focus is to help the disabled in attaining independence through employment searching as well as meeting the needs of both employers and the disabled, according to a university press release.  
 
Employers benefit from the program with such safeguards as pre-screened and trained employees, job coaches to help with training. 
 
Through the American Disabilities Act, employers can get tax credits, reimbursements and special funding for employing people with disabilities, Pierce said.
 
Pierce said her work primarily involves informing Cal State Long Beach State students about employment opportunities.