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COLUMBIA, MO. -- Columbia’s Job Point is a nonprofit agency that serves people with disabilities, young people at risk between the ages of 16 and 24 as well as former inmates coming out of the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

Sherri Richardson is Job Point’s lead business consultant. Her job is finding the perfect match between employer and employee.

“We really take down information in regards to where they want to work," Richardson said. "We go out in the business world and knock on every door in that industry and educate that employer on how to hire someone with a disability.”

Richardson said the key to a successful partnership between the employer and employee is making simple and individualized adjustments to job descriptions, instead of throwing someone with a disability or dark past into just any job.

Last year, 36 Columbia businesses hired people with disabilities through Job Point. So far this year, more than 50 Columbia businesses hired disabled people.

Even though the country is in a so-called double recession, Columbia’s Job Point officials are still finding jobs for the disabled and those at risk.

“You have to teach your businesses how to do that, how to create a position for someone with a learning disability or Down syndrome," Richardson said. "It’s our job to really go out and educate because it’s an untapped workforce, supportive employment. It absolutely is.”