WE OPEN DOORS TO EMPLOYMENT
ABOUT ACO
Our goal is to provide positive, motivating, individualized job services that meet the diverse needs of individuals with barriers to employment.
Accessible Career Options (ACO) is an employment agency that specializes in matching qualified candidates with the needs of potential employers. Our staff has over 100 years of experience partnering with local businesses to provide employment services for people with barriers to employment. As a vendor for the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the majority of these services are offered at no cost to the employer.
OUR MISSION
Build business and community partnerships that create jobs for individuals with barriers to employment.
OUR VISION
Create employment and training opportunities for individuals that want to work regardless of disability, sexual orientation, race, criminal record, or any other barriers to employment. While working with employers to develop top-down and grassroots approaches to growing their workforce.
OUR IMPACT
WHO WE WORK WITH
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH
COLLEGE STUDENTS / GRADUATES
COLLEGE STUDENTS / GRADUATES
INJURED WORKERS
INJURED WORKERS
EXPERIENCED WORKERS
EXPERIENCED WORKERS
OUR SERVICES
Here at ACO, we offer a variety services uniquely designed to successfully match qualified candidates with employer needs. As a vendor for the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). *For job seekers who are not connected to DVR, we offer private pay options. Our core services are highlighted below:
FOR JOB CANDIDATES:
JOB PLACEMENT
We match qualified candidates with open positions that meet employer needs.
JOB SHADOWING
Career exploration activity that allow individuals with disabilities to gain exposure and firsthand on-the-job experience.
JOB COACHING
On and off-the-job support to help increase the odds that the individual with a disability becomes successful at work.
WORK INCENTIVE BENEFITS ANALYSIS
We provide in-depth counseling about how work will impact SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits.
TEMPORARY WORK PLACEMENT
DWD funded temporary paid work or internship experiences.
CONSULTING
FOR EMPLOYERS
Assist employers in cultivating inclusive cultures and creating sustainable recruitment strategies.
FOR EMPLOYERS:
WHY HIRE A PERSON WITH DISABILITY?
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They’re Fiercely Loyal
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They Boost Job Morale and Corporate Culture
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They Expand a Company’s Talent Pool
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They Increase Diversity in the Company
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They are Higher- Performing Individuals
OTHER BENEFITS...
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Federal & State Tax Incentives (WOTC)
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Financial Incentives, Partial Wage Reimbursement
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Demonstrates You Are An Equal Opportunity Employer
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No Cost Job Placement Services
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Pre-screened, Qualified Candidates
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Reduced Recruitment and Training Costs
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Reduced Employee Turnover
SELECT PAST EMPLOYERS
OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS
In addition to our core services, we offer instructor led, knowledge and activity based training programs that can be paired and customized to meet individual needs:
ACO’s goal is to provide participants the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills designed to improve their independence. The program consists of eleven (11) modules which encompass:
- You Got the Job, So What’s Next? How to complete I9/W4 and setup your direct deposit.
- Bank On It. Overview of banking services, and how to open a bank account.
- Check It Out. How to effectively manage your checking and savings accounts.
- Budgeting. How to successfully manage your income, expenses and cash flow.
- Setting Financial Goals. How to set financial goals and follow your personal spending plan.
- Pay Yourself First. Overview of savings and investing options.
- Borrowing Basics. How and when to use credit appropriately and what forms of credit best suit your needs.
- Charge It Right. How to shop for the right credit card, and how to use it responsibly.
- Paying For College and Cars. Overview of installment loans, and how to determine which are best for your needs.
- A Roof Over Your Head. How to make informed choices about securing a place to live on you own.
- Reporting Income to Social Security. Overview of reporting earnings to Social Security: methods, deadlines and amounts.
In addition to technical skills, soft skills training can help job seekers clinch, maintain, or advance in a career. These skills will help individuals succeed in life no matter what they are doing. The program focuses on:
- Communication Skills: How to be an effective communicator as well as a great listener.
- Enthusiasm and Attitude. how to turn negative thinking into positive thinking and display and discuss enthusiasm during an interview and on the job.
- Teamwork. How to lead/follow, resolve conflicts, negotiate and compromise to meet team goals.
- Networking. Learn the skills of building connections to reach employment goals through contacts from friends, family
members, and acquaintances. - Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. Obtain guidance through discussion and role-playing to solve a variety of workplace problems.
- Professionalism. Learn resume creation, how to dress properly for work, attendance and timeliness, and appropriate use of cell phones and computers.
Basic computer lessons assist job seekers who lack the computer skills required to explore, secure, and maintain employment, as well as perform other daily life tasks. The program consists of four (4) modules which encompass:
- Basic computer operating instructions
- Internet basics
- Using email
- Working with the Windows Operating System
The Microsoft Office Suite and Google Applications program includes three (3) modules that teach students how to operate the following :
- Microsoft Word and Google Docs
- Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets
- Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides
The Technology and Apps for Employment program is designed to teach students how to successfully utilize technology for employment purposes. It includes two (2) modules which encompass:
- Participating in virtual meetings and mobile device syncing
- Leveraging social media
MEET OUR TEAM
SUE GUMINA-CANNON
President
Sue started Accessible Career Options with her business partner Quinncy Hinton in 2013. Sue has been working with individuals with disabilities for over 35 years.
QUINNCY HINTON
Vice President
Quinncy Hinton is one of the founders of ACO. He has 20 years of experience helping prepare individuals with barriers to employment for work.
JIM HORVAT
Job Developer
Jim has been in employment and recruiting for more than 20 years. He has a degree in Marketing Communications. Jim's specialty is working with employers to determine their hiring needs and matching them with quali ed candidates.
Alexis Goins
Job Developer
Alexis studied at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She is a wife and mother and uses a practical approach to ensuring her clients are prepared for the workforce.
DAWN AHRENS
Job Developer
Dawn is a licensed professional counselor and licensed clinical social worker. Her specialty and training is working with individuals with disabilities who have a mental health diagnosis and transitioning high school students who have documented disabilities while attending school.
BRANDI AUSTIN
Job Developer
Brandi, has a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance with a minor in Psychology; a trio of knowledge that makes for an interesting and effective approach to working with the disabled.
CINDY OPPE
Job Developer
Cindy has been working with businesses, education, and people with disabilities for over 35 years. She has a Bachelors Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Administration.
MARY SAINDON
Job Coach & Developer
Mary had previously worked for Milwaukee Public Schools for over 32 years as an elementary school teacher and then worked as a Title 1 reading specialist with Catapult Learning.
WHAT OTHERS SAY...
ACO made me feel welcomed and that any question could be asked without feeling like less than a person. They taught me how to interview, how to complete the application, and how to be on time. They made me so happy, it’s just like a family. If I had to tell anybody, I would tell them to come here because you will get the support that you need.
MEDIA
RESOURCES
Division of Vocational Rehabilatation
DVR Southeast Office
2701 S. Chase Avenue, Suite C, Milwaukee, WI
414/389-6450
DVR Central Office
4201 N 27th Street, Suite 601, Milwaukee, WI
414/874-1626
DVR Southwest Office
1304 S. 70th Street, Milwaukee, WI
414/607-7449
Social Security Administration
Location One
6300 W Fond Du Lac Ave, Milwaukee, WI
(800) 772-1213
Location Two
8455 W Layton Ave, Greenfield, WI
(877) 600-2856
Location Three
310 W Wisconsin Ave #260, Milwaukee, WI
(866) 467-9626
Location Four
5020 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI
(800) 772-1213
Milwaukee Enrollment Services (MilES)
FoodShare, Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus
Phone: 888-947-6583
Coggs Center
1220 W. Vliet St.
Milwaukee, WI 53205
United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS)
2701 S. Chase Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Milwaukee County Disability Resource Center
1220 West Vliet, Room 300, Milwaukee, WI
Call 414/289-6660
Fax 414/289-8522
TTY/TTD 414/289-5711
E-mail: infoMilwDRC@milwcnty.com
Milwaukee County Transit System
1942 N. 17th Street, Milwaukee, WI
Route/Schedule/Fare Information 414/344-6711
TTY for Hearing Impaired
414/937-3299
(8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday)
need help finding a job?
To select ACO as your vendor of choice to help you secure employment you must be registered with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation: