Vera Institute of Justice

Overview

This September 1979 paper is the final report to the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation on Vera's Job Path program. Begun in 1978, this program adapted Vera's "supported work" concept to adults with borderline mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Vera originally developed the paradigm of supported work when it sought to create transitional employment opportunities to help ex-offenders and ex-addicts become acculturated to the world of work and acquire marketable skills. With Job Path, developmentally disabled adults have the opportunity to live as fully-realized adults with real jobs and real independence. This paper argues that work is an essential aspect of adulthood and of self respect. Job Path was spun-off from Vera in 1998.