Affiliations: Department of Special Education, California State University, PO Box 6868, Fullerton, CA 92834-6868, USA | Integrated Resources Institute, 18552 Mac Arthur Blvd., Suite #208, Irvine, CA 92715, USA
Abstract: The Universal Access program at Universal Studios, Hollywood, represents a collaborative natural support effort organized by the Integrated Resources Institute, a non-profit corporation and Universal Studios, the corporate partner. The project, utilizing an array of natural support approaches, resulted in the training, placement and support of 16 persons with severe disabilities in employment. The corporate partner committed their own employees as mentors for career opportunities in a wide variety of positions across multiple departments within their growing organization. A full range of placement and support services were provided by the project including: job development, on the job training, natural supports, job site modification, development of special aids and other work related support services. This program included placements for ethnically and culturally diverse individuals with severe disabilities in a variety of entertainment and recreation union occupations that reflect significant employment trends and opportunities in the United States. Although the program achieved significant success, the corporate partner was prepared to mentor a much larger number of employees with disabilities. Obstacles from the California Department of Rehabilitation are discussed in terms of its lack of capacity to respond with the required volume of candidates.
