Employment Services

For People with Developmental and Learning Disabilities

Whether you want to create your first résumé, gain new employment skills or find a new job, we are here for you! We offer a variety of services to help people with developmental and learning disabilities prepare for and find employment opportunities in their communities. YAI’s employment training programs are located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Long Island and Westchester County. For more information about YAI’s Employment Initiatives for people with disabilties, please contact YAI LINK at 1-866-2-YAI-LINK or TDD: 212-290-2787.

Pre-Vocational Training: Get Ready to Work with YAI!

If you are new to the work world, YAI can help you prepare for your first job. Through individual and group employment counseling, we can help you:

• Build your résumé
• Develop interviewing skills
• Learn how to conduct yourself on the job
• Learn how to get along with supervisors and co-workers, and how to handle conflict at work
• Dress for success and present yourself in the most professional way
• Gain new employment skills through internships in retail, office services, maintenance and other work settings in the community.

Job Placement: Find the Right Position

If you are ready to work, YAI can help you find and apply for employment opportunities in your community. Through individual and group job development, YAI can help you:

• Identify employment interests and strengths
• Search and apply for job openings
• Educate employers about YAI and the ongoing, on-the-job support that we provide to all of our program graduates once they are hired

A Range of Opportunities

Graduates of YAI employment programs obtain jobs in a variety of companies, organizations and government agencies. The types of job opportunities that our graduates receive include:

• Administrative and office services
• Retail and stock
• Mailroom services
• Warehouse operations
• Messenger service
• Food service
• Grounds, janitorial and maintenance

Immediate Openings in Employment Services Programs

Manhattan Employment: Training in employability and job-specific skills. Openings for Manhattan Work Readiness, Supported Work and Training and OPTS (for those not typically eligible for VESID) Programs. For more information, please contact Andrea Melvin at 212-273-6100 ext. 2448.
Bronx Employment: Accepting applications for Bronx Work Readiness, Supported Work and Training and OPTS (for those not typically eligible for VESID) Programs. For more information, please contact Ruth Jeffers at 718-792-6221 ext. 205.
Bronx Capable Program: Accepting applications for Bronx Capable Program, a supported employment program for people with a mental illness or a dual diagnosis. For more information, please contact Brenda Costner at 718-792-6221 ext. 206.
Brooklyn Supported Work and Training: Accepting applications Brooklyn Supported Employment program for adults with developmental disabilities. For more information, please contact Sara Schacter Erenburg at 718-368-9311.
Queens Supported Work and Training: Accepting applications Queens Supported Employment program for adults with developmental disabilities. For more information, please contact Chris Morrow at 718-389-1300 ext. 227.
There are openings city wide for people with developmental disabilities who are employed and who need follow-along support services.