Supported employment is a simple concept. It refers to a process whereby people traditionally denied career opportunities due to the perceived severity of their disability, now obtain jobs and are provided long-term, ongoing support for as long as needed.

Despite its simplicity in concept, providing effective supported employment can be challenging.

Supported employment has expanded the scope of traditional human services to include the business community, families, local communities, and, most importantly, the job seeker as the forces that drive the service. Within this expanded scope of supported employment the job seeker (along with his/her circle of support) determines the types of services needed to assist him/her to be successful in a career of his/her choosing.