Finding Her Place: Hannah’s Journey to Success
Hannah is a young adult with Down syndrome and moderate hearing loss, but that hasn’t stopped her from dreaming of finding meaningful work. Outgoing and sociable, Hannah wears a bone anchored hearing aid to help her hear, but loud noises can be painful. Despite these challenges, Hannah’s wit and enthusiasm have always stood out, even though she sometimes struggles to advocate for herself in noisy environments.
After high school, Hannah joined the Lifesteps Transition Program, designed to equip young adults with the skills needed for competitive employment and independent living. Her Individual Education Plan indicated that she needed support with correcting errors, being thorough with job tasks and taking initiative. Through Lifesteps, she received classroom instruction and participated in unpaid work experiences at local businesses, gradually gaining confidence in her abilities.
Hannah’s journey wasn’t without obstacles. At times, loud noises overwhelmed her, causing her to cover her ears and tear up. With the support of her job coach and the program staff, she learned to turn down the volume on her hearing aid in noisy settings and communicate her needs to others.
In 2023, after months of training and improvement, Hannah and her team felt she was ready to start her individual job search. She had expressed interest in working as a hair salon assistant, so her job coach arranged a shadowing opportunity at a local salon. After just three days, the salon owner was so impressed that Hannah was offered a job as an assistant, starting with one day a week.
As Hannah settled into her role, she blossomed. Her natural charm and warmth quickly made her a favorite among customers and colleagues alike. Soon, she was asked to work an additional day each week, and support from her job coach faded to just monthly check-ins. With the help of the Lifesteps Transition Program and support from the United Way, Hannah’s dream of employment became a reality, opening doors to a brighter and more fulfilling future.