There are many resources available to those who are searching for employment. However, many of these resource agencies are focused on particular populations within the larger population of people with disabilities. The following resources allow employers looking to hire people with disabilities to find a large pool of applicants who may fit their employee needs. Contacting these agencies or offices will enable you to find out ways in which you can become part of these applicant pools available to prospective employers.

The following list of national agencies and organizations offers a good starting point to employers looking for recruitment sources to locate qualified people with disabilities.

(Source: Recruiting people with disabilities: http://www.dol.gov/dol/odep/public/media/reports/ek98/recruit.htm)

Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
Office of Disability Employment Policy
(724) 891-3533 (V); (724) 891-0275 (Fax)
Through the WRP, employers may request a database of pre-screened college students with disabilities to fill summer or permanent hiring needs. These candidates, from more than 160 colleges and universities, represent all academic majors and range from college freshmen to students in graduate school or law school.

Rehabilitation Services Administration
(202) 205-8719 (V)
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) oversees programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities obtain employment. RSA's major formula grant program provides funds to state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide employment-related services for people with disabilities. State and local vocational rehabilitation agencies are listed under state government agencies in the telephone directory.

Department of Veterans Affairs
(800) 827-1000 (V)
The Department of Veterans Affairs supports a nationwide employment-training program for veterans with service-connected disabilities who qualify for vocational rehabilitation. Regional or local offices are listed under federal government agencies in the telephone directory.

Social Security Administration
Attn: Project ABLE
(757) 441-3362 (V), (757) 441-3374 (Fax), projable@opm.gov
Project ABLE is a national resume bank, which offers employers an accessible applicant pool of qualified individuals with disabilities who are receiving Social Security or Supplemental Social Security disability benefits. The resume bank operates through the joint efforts of state vocational rehabilitation agencies, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Personnel Management, Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs.

State Governors' Committees on Employment of People with Disabilities
The governors' committees serve as state liaisons to the Office of Disability Employment Policy. The committees provide employment information and referral service. Governors' Committees are listed under state government agencies in the telephone directory.

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Division of Educational Services,
Secondary Education and Transitional Services Branch
(202) 205-8112 (V), Bill_Halloran@ed.gov (E-mail)
The Secondary Education and Transitional Services for Youth With Disabilities program assists youth with disabilities in the transition from secondary school to post-secondary environments, such as competitive or supported employment. Through awards to institutions of higher education, state educational agencies, local educational agencies and other appropriate public and private nonprofit institutions, the program ensures that secondary special education and transitional services result in competitive or supported employment for youth with disabilities. Contact the Division for the location of transition programs in your area.

I-NABIR, The Association of Projects with Industry
(202) 543-6353 (V) or inabir@paltech.com (E-mail)
I-NABIR is an organization of federally funded programs that provide employment preparation and job placement services for persons with disabilities under the guidance of employers. Contact I-NABIR for the location of projects with industry programs in your area.

Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
(617) 287-3880 (V/TDD), (617) 287-3881 (Fax)
AHEAD is a member organization involved in the development of policy and in the provision of quality support services to serve the needs of persons with disabilities in higher education programs. The organization can provide the name and number of the college and/or university coordinators of services for students with disabilities in your area.

Goodwill Industries International
(301) 530-6500 (V),
Goodwill Industries of America offers employment, training and placement services for people with disabilities in programs throughout the United States. Contact Goodwill headquarters for the programs in your area or visit the Web site at http://206.135.232.3/states/map.htm.

Career and Employment Institute (CEI)
National Center for Disability Services, Long Island, New York
(516) 465-3737 (V)
CEI offers education, training and job placement services, primarily in the New York area where it is located. However, this group is also involved in national employment initiatives. To learn more about CEI visit the Web page at http://www.idd.net.

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