Many resources are available to help people with disabilities find employment.
Many resources are available to help people with disabilities find employment. For information on job banks, planning your career, mentoring programs and job training programs, visit the Jobs & Career Planning section of Disability.gov. You can also search for information in your state by clicking on the Employment section of the site and choosing your state from the drop-down menu that says “Information by State” on the left side of the page. On the home page, click on “Find a Job” to connect to links for the resources cited below.
Places Near You to Look for a Job
One-Stop Centers have many free services to help people looking for jobs. At a One-Stop Center you can find lists of job openings, computers, and Internet access you can use to look for a job, career counselors who can answer your questions about how to find a job or get training for a new career, and help writing your résumé. Find the One-Stop Center near you by entering your zip code or your city and state at www.careeronestop.org. For help finding your One-Stop Center, call 877-348-0502 / 348-0501 (TTY).
Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) are professionals who work in the One-Stop Centers. They can help you learn about the many programs and services available to help you find a job. Contact information for the DPN in your area is on the DPN State Contact List. (For more information about this program, see “Employment Assist,” this section).
Many states’ job banks have lists of current job openings. Visit the CareerOneStop Web site and choose your state from the “State Job Banks” drop-down menu on the upper right corner of the page.
The Employer Assistance & Resource Network (EARN) offers assistance to people with disabilities looking for work, as do the State Governor’s Offices on Employment of People with Disabilities.
The Employer Locator online tool can help you find job openings in your field in the state or city where you want to work. In addition, your state’s vocational rehabilitation (VR) office provides job training and help finding a job.
Another place to turn to for help is your local Independent Living Center (ILC). ILCs offer assistance with finding a house or apartment, developing skills to live independently, and finding a job. Contact an ILC near you by clicking on your state on the map on the Independent Living Research Utilization Web site, or select your state from their state list.
If You Are…
– Receiving Social Security Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has Employment Networks in every state that can help you find a job if you are getting benefits but want to go back to work. Find an Employment Network near you by entering your zip code or your city and state on the Ticket to Work Web Site. Social Security also has Work Incentives Improvement coordinators in almost every state who can help you with your job search if you are receiving Social Security benefits.
– Looking for a Federal Government Job
The best place to start looking for a job with the federal government is the USAJOBS Web site. You can sign up to receive e-mails about specific types of government jobs you are interested in that are located where you want to work. SSA offers information for people looking for jobs, including a list of job openings at SSA, as does the Department of Labor. In addition, if you are looking for a federal government job you should know that special rules may apply.
– A Veteran with a Disability
Many federal, state, and local government programs help veterans find jobs. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Web site offers job-search tools, information on job fairs where you can meet potential employers, and other helpful resources. Contact your state’s VA office for help in finding a job or getting job training. The Career One-Stop Web site also has many resources that can help military and veterans who have a disability with their search for a job. Other resources include the National Resource Directory and HireVetsFirst, both of which offer information for servicemembers and veterans looking for jobs or job training.
For additional news and resources, sign up for ODEP’s e-mail updates: 866-ODEP-DOL (633-7365) / 877-889-5627 (TTY) / www.dol.gov/odep.
Source: www.Disability.gov.
