FOR EMPLOYER
Partner With Better Steps Life Skills Center
Are you ready to empower talent, strengthening businesses, building inclusive communities?
The Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE) are short-term, structured opportunities that allow individuals with disabilities to gain hands-on work exposure and develop essential job skills. These experiences are coordinated through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to help participants explore career interests and prepare for competitive employment — all while giving employers access to motivated, reliable, and well-supported talent.
Why Employers Should Get Involved? No Cost or Low Cost and Employers have two flexible options during the work experience period:
1. Employer-Funded Option: The employer may choose to pay the participant directly for the hours worked.
2. Better Steps–Funded Option: Better Steps Life Skills Center, through Vocational Rehabilitation, can cover the participant’s wages, liability, and workers’ compensation.
This allows businesses to participate at little to no financial cost during the training period.
Once the employer decides to hire the individual as part-time or full-time staff, the employer then becomes fully responsible for all wages and employment obligations moving forward. With the benefits written below:
Access to Motivated Talent
Gain access to individuals who are eager to learn, dependable, and ready to contribute meaningfully to your workplace.
Enhance Workplace Diversity
Moving toward inclusive hiring practices that reflect your company’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.
Low-Risk Hiring Opportunity
Test potential future employees in real work settings before making long-term hiring decisions — a win-win for both your business and the participant.
Consistent and Ongoing Support
Provide consistent support, job coaching, and training to ensure a smooth experience. You are not alone
Additional Business & Tax Benefits
Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Employers who hire individuals with disabilities may qualify for up to $2,400–$9,600 in tax credits per employee.
Disabled Access Credit: Small businesses can receive up to $5,000 annually for making accessibility accommodations.
Barrier Removal Deduction: Businesses may deduct up to $15,000 per year for removing physical, structural, or transportation barriers to accessibility.
These incentives make hiring individuals with disabilities not only a socially responsible choice — but a financially smartone. Ways Employers Can Participate:
Offer short-term work experiences (typically 4–12 weeks).
Provide job shadowing, mentorship, or internship opportunities.
Allow participants to practice workplace skills and learn job expectations.
Collaborate with Better Steps Life Skills Center to align opportunities with your business needs and the participant’s career goals.
How Better Steps Life Skills Center Supports You?
Manages coordination, paperwork, and coverage (wages, liability, workers’ comp).
Provides job coaching and assistive technology when needed.
Offers on-site support and disability inclusion resources.
Ensures a positive and productive experience for both the employer and the participant.
Join Better Steps Life Skills Center in building a stronger, more inclusive workforce with one opportunity at a time.
Learn how your company can benefit from partnering with our program and supporting individuals ready to make a difference.
FOR EMPLOYER
Partner With Better Steps Life Skills Center
Are you ready to empower talent, strengthening businesses, building inclusive communities?
The Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE) are short-term, structured opportunities that allow individuals with disabilities to gain hands-on work exposure and develop essential job skills.
These experiences are coordinated through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to help participants explore career interests and prepare for competitive employment — all while giving employers access to motivated, reliable, and well-supported talent.
Why Employers Should Get Involved? No Cost or Low Cost and Employers have two flexible options during the work experience period:
1. Employer-Funded Option: The employer may choose to pay the participant directly for the hours worked.
2. Better Steps–Funded Option: Better Steps Life Skills Center, through Vocational Rehabilitation, can cover the participant’s wages, liability, and workers’ compensation.
This allows businesses to participate at little to no financial cost during the training period.
Once the employer decides to hire the individual as part-time or full-time staff, the employer then becomes fully responsible for all wages and employment obligations moving forward. With the benefits written below:
Access to Motivated Talent
Gain access to individuals who are eager to learn, dependable, and ready to contribute meaningfully to your workplace.
Enhance Workplace Diversity
Moving toward inclusive hiring practices that reflect your company’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.
Low-Risk Hiring Opportunity
Test potential future employees in real work settings before making long-term hiring decisions — a win-win for both your business and the participant.
Consistent and Ongoing Support
Provide consistent support, job coaching, and training to ensure a smooth experience. You are not alone
Additional Business & Tax Benefits
Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Employers who hire individuals with disabilities may qualify for up to $2,400–$9,600 in tax credits per employee.
Disabled Access Credit: Small businesses can receive up to $5,000 annually for making accessibility accommodations.
Barrier Removal Deduction: Businesses may deduct up to $15,000 per year for removing physical, structural, or transportation barriers to accessibility.
These incentives make hiring individuals with disabilities not only a socially responsible choice — but a financially smartone. Ways Employers Can Participate:
Offer short-term work experiences (typically 4–12 weeks).
Provide job shadowing, mentorship, or internship opportunities.
Allow participants to practice workplace skills and learn job expectations.
Collaborate with Better Steps Life Skills Center to align opportunities with your business needs and the participant’s career goals.
How Better Steps Life Skills Center Supports You?
Manages coordination, paperwork, and coverage (wages, liability, workers’ comp).
Provides job coaching and assistive technology when needed.
Offers on-site support and disability inclusion resources.
Ensures a positive and productive experience for both the employer and the participant.
Join Better Steps Life Skills Center in building a stronger, more inclusive workforce with one opportunity at a time.
Learn how your company can benefit from partnering with our program and supporting individuals ready to make a difference.
FOR OJT
Be a Partner for OJT and Support Community
By partnering with vocational rehabilitation for On-the-Job Training, you’ll be supporting community and can get recognition for your inclusive business practices.
Financial and Business Incentives. No-Cost Recruitment and Screening:
VR counselors pre-screen candidates, saving employers time and money in recruitment and assessment
Workforce Development Benefits Custom Training for Specific Job Needs:
Employers can train candidates and can provide various tasks to clients to meet the needs of the business
Increased Retention:
Employees trained through OJT often show higher loyalty and lower turnover rates
Access to Untapped Talent Pools:
Employers gain motivated workers who might otherwise be overlooked, often bringing strong work ethic and commitment.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion Improved Company Image and Diversity Goals:
Hiring through VR demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social impact — something customers and communities value.
Positive Workplace Culture:
Inclusive hiring fosters empathy, teamwork, and morale among all staff.
Community Partnership Recognition:
Many VR agencies highlight participating employers in local or state-wide recognition programs and media.
Support and Risk Reduction Ongoing Support from VR Staff:
VR counselors provide job coaching, accommodations, and follow-up services to ensure success.
Reduced Hiring Risk:
If the match doesn’t work out, VR agencies can often assist with replacement or adjustment at no cost.
Accommodations Assistance:
VR staff help identify and fund reasonable accommodations, taking that burden off the employer.
Join Better Steps Life Skills Center in building a stronger, more inclusive workforce with one opportunity at a time.
Learn how your company can benefit from partnering with our program and supporting individuals ready to make a difference.
FOR OJT
Be a Partner for OJT and Support Community
By partnering with vocational rehabilitation for On-the-Job Training, you’ll be supporting community and can get recognition for your inclusive business practices.
Financial and Business Incentives. No-Cost Recruitment and Screening:
VR counselors pre-screen candidates, saving employers time and money in recruitment and assessment
Workforce Development Benefits Custom Training for Specific Job Needs:
Employers can train candidates and can provide various tasks to clients to meet the needs of the business
Increased Retention:
Employees trained through OJT often show higher loyalty and lower turnover rates
Access to Untapped Talent Pools:
Employers gain motivated workers who might otherwise be overlooked, often bringing strong work ethic and commitment.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion Improved Company Image and Diversity Goals:
Hiring through VR demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social impact — something customers and communities value.
Positive Workplace Culture:
Inclusive hiring fosters empathy, teamwork, and morale among all staff.
Community Partnership Recognition:
Many VR agencies highlight participating employers in local or state-wide recognition programs and media.
Support and Risk Reduction Ongoing Support from VR Staff:
VR counselors provide job coaching, accommodations, and follow-up services to ensure success.
Reduced Hiring Risk:
If the match doesn’t work out, VR agencies can often assist with replacement or adjustment at no cost.
Accommodations Assistance:
VR staff help identify and fund reasonable accommodations, taking that burden off the employer.
Join Better Steps Life Skills Center in building a stronger, more inclusive workforce with one opportunity at a time.
Learn how your company can benefit from partnering with our program and supporting individuals ready to make a difference.
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www.betterstepsfoundation.org
Copyright 2025. Better Steps Life Skills Center. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2025. Better Steps Life Skills Center. All Rights Reserved.