Regular Work 

The Regular Work program is a sheltered workshop which provides vocational training and paid work opportunities for men and women with developmental disabilities.

Program Description

Spectrum's Regular Work program is a vocational program for men and women, age 16 and older, who have developmental disabilities. Individuals work on subcontract jobs such as light assembly or packaging, and are paid for the work that they do. In addition to specific job skills, each person develops an understanding of appropriate work behavior and social skills.

The workshop is located in Downers Grove, Illinois. Approximately 75 men and women participate in the program, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Geographic Area Served

A segment of DuPage County generally bounded by North Avenue on the north, Route 83 on the east, I-55 on the south and Route 59 on the west. 

Eligibility

Individuals interested in receiving services through Spectrum must:

• be at least 16 years of age
• have a disability that significantly interferes with their ability to be gainfully employed in the community 
• possess a state-issued identification card and a social security card
• be legally eligible to work in the United States
• behave in a manner that does not endanger the safety of others, or significantly disrupt the program
• be independent enough that one-on-one staff assistance is not required, unless a personal assistant is provided
• be eligible for third party funding or accept responsibility for program fees
• complete all requirements of Spectrum's intake process
• be able to benefit from the services offered 

Fees

Regular Work is currently funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services, with fixed limits on enrollment. Families who are unable to receive funding through the state may choose to pay for Spectrum's services themselves. Door to door transportation is also available for a fee. 

FAQ's

• What type of work is done in the Regular Work program?

Participants in the Regular Work program perform light assembly work ranging from packaging commercial products, to collating sheets of printed materials, to assembling simple industrial components.

• Where does the work come from?

Spectrum bids competitively for work from a variety of local businesses. Regular Work takes seriously its commitment to produce quality work for its customers, and program participants are encouraged to work hard in order to produce error-free products on time. In general, a Regular Work participant is expected to perform at a rate of 33% of the industrial standard.

• How often must Regular Work participants attend Spectrum?

Spectrum is open 5 days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, program participants may attend whichever days fit best with their existing community job or the needs of their family.

For more information...

For more information, please contact Kathy Wissmiller at (630) 929-2707 or via e-mail at kwissmiller@lilfriends.com.