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Natural Supports in the Workplace
Natural supports in the workplace can be any assistance, relationships, or interactions that allow a person to work in a job of his or her choice in ways similar to other employees. Use of natural workplace supports allows consumers to direct their own careers and choose the type and amount of assistance they want to receive.
Natural supports are based on ordinary social relationships at work and in the community. They may occur spontaneously, although school or human service agency staff often facilitate natural support relationships. Examples of natural supports include co-workers who provide job training for the supported employee or mentoring relationships between the supported employee and others. An individual's family and friends or volunteers from the community can provide natural supports. Individuals providing natural supports may do so with or without compensation.
Although a natural supports approach makes the most of normal social relationships, job coaches or employment specialists may continue to play an ongoing role for many supported employees. They can play a variety of roles acting as consultants, trainers -- to either the supported employee or to individuals providing natural supports, advocates, evaluators, problem solvers, and job accommodations specialists.
Natural Supports Links
- Families and Natural supports: The Engine for change, a newsletter article from Point of Departure, Vol. 3, No. 2
- Natural Support by Kim Worlow, an article from the online journal of Region 6 Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program
- Natural Supports: Expanding the capacities of businesses, consultants and employees
- Natural Supports...They're All Around You!
- Supported Employment and Natural Supports: A Critique and Analysis
PACER's site offers many PDF files for download, which require 
