Overcoming Barriers to Employment with Zach Sandy

I talk with Zach Sandy from Job Squad Incorporated. He explains that their mission is to help people with disabilities find jobs by developing lines of business and creating opportunities. We are at their expo where employers, government agencies, and organizations are sharing resources that are often hard to locate. Families and individuals with disabilities can connect with services and job possibilities in one place.

Zach tells me that Job Squad runs several programs, including vocational training and on the job skills development. They also help remove barriers like transportation or licensing. One of their best known operations is mail sorting. They collect mail from local routes, sort it in their facility, and deliver it to the post office. Customers benefit from reduced postage costs while individuals with disabilities gain steady employment.

He also shows me their warehouse operation where Job Squad partners with West Virginia state parks and tourism to manage ecommerce orders. Their team stores products, picks items when an order comes in, and ships them directly to customers. This model can be applied to almost any product, not just shirts and mugs, creating more work opportunities.

At the expo I see booths from Workforce West Virginia, West Virginia ABLE, health services, and employers who specialize in hiring people with disabilities. Zach says people can connect directly with groups like Job Squad or be referred through state services.

As we wrap up Zach says his hope is that people leave with awareness, both in the community and in business. Job Squad is not just a nonprofit but a partner that provides real value to employers while building skills and careers for individuals with disabilities.