Proyecto Visión

With the ADA (American with Disabilities Act), it has theoretically become more possible for people with disabilities to find jobs. However, some studies show that up two thirds of all people with disabilities are unemployed. So, what makes it so hard to find a job? Or…what resources are available that we don’t know about and therefore don’t use?

There are many agencies at the national, state, and local level, as well as Internet resources that provide help to disabled people seeking work. Like any job search, however, this will require time, commitment, and information to help develop a well thought out plan. Of course, a little bit of luck helps too!

So, you are sitting in your house and contemplating that next big move in your life. You want to find a job. How do you get started?

Visión chose the Department of Labor’s web site to start the process of finding out which steps could be helpful in finding a job. Let’s see what we found!

In this age of computer technology, a good source of information on ways to find a job is the Internet. Although there is a lot of information available on the Internet related to techniques in finding a job, there are specific sources that can be helpful.

A good place to start is your local Vocational Rehabilitation office. Each state in the US has one of these offices, which are part of the National Rehabilitation Services Administration. The state office will have various local offices placed throughout the state available to help residents of that local area in the job search process.

To be eligible for this service you must:
Be legally eligible to work in the United States
Have a physical, mental, or emotional disability
Have a disability that keeps you from finding or keeping a job
Be willing and able to work
You are in the state (living in, working in, or moving to the state) in which you are applying for services.

You do not have to be diagnosed with a disability to apply. If you feel that you have a disability that will keep you from finding employment you also can apply.

Persons who are eligible do not have to be receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income). If you are receiving SSI but want to work, you are also welcome to apply.

Many people who receive vocational rehabilitation services are referred to them through social workers, doctors, mental health professionals, high school teachers, family, employers, hospitals etc. However, to be eligible for these services, you do not need a referral from another person and can refer yourself.

Where do I find a Vocational Rehabilitation Office in my Community?
The FCIC, or Federal Consumer Information Center, has a website that lists the Vocational and Rehabilitation Services Agencies in alphabetical order by state. This site is located at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/crh/vocational.htm. It lists mailing addresses, contact people, e-mail, telephone, and in some cases website information for each state. The website link for each state will provide you information directly related to the state in which you live.

Although these sites may not list an office in your immediate local area, they will provide phone numbers for the main state offices, which can help you, connect to a local one, closest to you. Many states have web pages listed on these sites and those will give you listings of local branch offices.

If you do not have access to the Internet, normally all of these resources should be listed in the Yellow Pages of your local phone book.

So, you found your Local Vocational Rehabilitation Center?
You may be thinking, "well I found my local voc rehab center and I meet the qualifications for help, what can they do for me when I visit them?"

When you get to these offices, counselors will be available to help assess your skills and help you through the process of finding a job in your local area. They will also give you information on how to become self-employed or do work via telecommunication if that is your goal or desire.

The counselor will first help you determine if you are eligible, and then will help you get a sense of your skills, goals, and how you should find a job that will meet your needs, and accommodate any disabilities. Many vocational rehabilitation users also receive financial help in getting the education necessary for your vocational goal. VRs will also help pay for assistive technology necessary for education or jobs. Some examples of assistive technology include special computer browsers if you are blind, or a special mouse if you have mobility problems in your fingers and hands.

In this regard, the vocational rehab centers are not employment offices. They will not find you a job. They will however, help you figure out how to find it, gain the skills and education necessary to get a job, give you tips on the search process, accommodations etc. They will give you ideas on how make it a self-help process. Even though your counselor is not responsible for finding you a job, many of these agencies also have books of job announcements available in the waiting area for you to look through.

Help in Finding Employment in your Local Community
Another useful job search and support agency is the one-stop career centers, located all around the country. This resource is valuable to both those who have completed career training and those who have not.

This initiative is part of US Workforce and is a one-stop resource for all information related to the job search.

One of the major components of this program is to link employers with job applicants. They also provide job seekers with employment and training opportunities at the local and the national level.

Each center has technology such as the Internet, fax, telephones and e-mail, as well as information and assistance available for the community to make use of. The centers also have professionals to answer questions about training opportunities and how to pay for them; unemployment benefits paperwork, vocational tests, and information about the local job market.

These centers partner with vocational education agencies, community colleges, federal agencies, and various non-profit organizations to provide a full service to users.

You can find the location of the center closest to you and more information on this program at http://usworkforce.org/onestop/

Although the One-Stop Centers and the Vocational Rehabilitation Offices will be able to help answer most questions that you may have regarding employment for people with disabilities, we thought it would be useful to provide a brief overview of two important laws that protect disabled workers from being discriminated against when applying for and getting a job: the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

If you are interested to know more about these laws and YOUR RIGHTS, please consult our article, Links for Laws. If now it is not a good time, please keep them in mind for later use.