A longitudinal report for three employees in a training consultant model of natural support

Twelve years of the natural support training consultant model for three individuals with significant disabilities is briefly reported. A private country club committed their own employees as initial trainers and long-term supports in a variety of positions within their organization. A full range of placement and support services were provided by the corporation including: job development, on the job training, job site modification, job sharing, job matching, development of special aids, family communication, case management and other work related support services. Although the program achieved significant qualitative success, the corporate partner was prepared to train and employ a larger number of employees with disabilities than were referred by the local developmental disability agency. The participants, compared to job coach supported consumers, experienced superior worker benefits for natural supports in the areas of job tenure, gross wages, and hours worked per week.