People with disabilities frequently have trouble finding employment. They often are targets for discrimination and wage theft. Being a business owner is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative for individuals with disabilities to showcase their products and services to the public.
Resources SPL Provides :
- Transition training
- How to start your business
- How to create a business plan
- Supported services
Additional Links with More Information
- AbilityLinks – This is a nationwide, web-based community where qualified job seekers with disabilities and inclusive employers meet and gain access to valuable networking opportunities. Employers post jobs and search resumes on AbilityLinks to identify qualified job seekers with disabilities. Job seekers with disabilities can apply for jobs and post resumes.
- AbilityOne – The AbilityOne Program is a Federal initiative to help people who are blind or have other significant disabilities find employment by working within a national network of over 600 Nonprofit Agencies that sell products and services to the U.S. government.
- Able Force – This is a non-profit AbilityOne provider that promotes, enhances and facilitates the employment of persons with disabilities. Through the recruitment and screening of prospective employees, Able Force offers a nationwide network of workers with a multitude of skills and qualification, capable of meeting a wide range of project requirements.
- ABLE National Resource Center – The Achieving A Better Life Experience Act help peoples with disabilities, and their families, become comfortable with the idea of opening an ABLE account as a pathway out of poverty. They have a Road Map To Enrollment as well as a a comparison tool to compare state ABLE account options.
- American Association of Persons with Disabilities – AAPD is a disability rights organization that promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities.
- ARCIL, Inc. – ARCIL, Inc. of Austin, Texas provides independent living services to persons with disabilities, their families and communities throughout Travis and surrounding counties. “Browse ARCIL’s website to find out more information about activities, services, mission, locations and other local, state and national resources available for persons with disabilities, family members, professionals or anybody interested in the independent living movement.”
- Association of People Supporting Employment First – APSE is a national non-profit membership organization that focuses exclusively on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Birth Injury Justice Center – Birth injuries are instances of physical harm during childbirth directly caused by medical errors. There are many types of birth injuries, ranging from mild to severe. Birth injuries may cause irreversible damage.
- Career & Technical Special Populations (Texas A&M Agrilife Extension) – CTSP provides access to career and technical education (CTE) and special populations-related multimedia information to teachers, parents, and education professionals throughout Texas.
- Center for Parent Information & Resources – See Employment Connections.
- Charting the Life Course™ – Daily Life & Employment Guide Video Series designed to help individuals seeking employment and those who support them to think through the questions to ask, things to do, and resources that can help lead them to a job, career, volunteering, college or continuing education, and ultimately, the lives they want to live.
- Client Assistance Program (CAP) in Texas – The Client Assistance Program (CAP) has been established by the Rehabilitation Act to provide assistance to people applying for and receiving vocational rehabilitation services or independent living services. In Texas, CAP is administered by Disability Rights Texas.
- Coalition for Barrier Free Living – This is the website for the Coalition for Barrier Free Living, which includes the Houston, Brazoria County and Fort Bend Centers for Independent Living. Their mission is to “promote the full inclusion, equal opportunity and participation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of community life.” See Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA).
- Coalition to Advance Competitive Integrated Employment – Over 25 national organizations have joined together to advance and promote Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). This website features CIE success stories, resources and legislative updates.
- College & Career Readiness & Success Center (American Institutes for Research) – Improving College & Career Readiness for Students with Disabilities (pdf)
- DisAbilityOnline – This is the Employment & Training Administration’s Disabilities Program home page. It includes information on work and employment incentive grants as well as the Ticket To Work program.
- Disability Employment Initiative – This site provides tools and resources to all key stakeholders to provide effective and meaningful participation of individuals with disabilities within the workforce system.
- Disability Employment Publications – The U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) offers free disability employment guides for employers and job-seekers. Also available are free PSAs (in DVD format) and four-color posters created as part of the “What Can You Do” Campaign for Disability Employment.
- Disability Rights Texas – See Employment Resources.
- Easter Seals Central Texas – Their Community and Housing Services program provides support for people with disabilities and their families, including home purchases, residential accessibility, rental assistance, assistive technology, and advocacy.
- Employability Skills 2000 – Critical skills needed in the workplace.
- Employment First (Texas Health & Human Services) – Learn how HHSC Vocational Services can help you 1) find and apply for a job, 2) retain your job and learn new skills, 3) earn a paycheck and learn money management, and 4) gain independence, social connections and confidence.
- Enable America – A nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing employment among the 56 million Americans with disabilities.
- Entry Point! – This is the web site for Entry Point!, “a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science offering outstanding internship opportunities for students with disabilities in Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science.”
- Family to Family Network – Family to Family Network helps individuals with disabilities and their family members define and achieve success for themselves and their loved ones. Through guidance and training of parents and young adults, we transform lives by helping them discover possibilities, see the potential and advocate for what they need to achieve their dreams.
- FDIC Money Smart – A comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help low and moderate income individuals (including those with disabilities) outside the financial mainstream enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships
- GreatSchools.org – See Getting a Job, Getting a Life: The Workplace and Young People with LD .
- Global Applied Disability and Information Network on Employment and Training – GLADNET “brings together research centers, universities, enterprises, government departments, and other groups together for the promotion of research as well as the collection, analysis and exchange of information concerning people with disabilities and work.”
- Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC – Griffin-Hammis is a full-service consultancy specializing in developing communities of economic cooperation and self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The website contains online training resources pertaining to self-employment, customized employment, and social security work incentives.
- Howdy Homemade Ice Cream –
We are on a relentless pursuit to create jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities using the power of smiles and amazing ice cream. Katy, TX
- Incight – Incight’s “Resources for Self-Empowerment” website includes information for job seekers, including job postings and articles for anyone wanting to become a more competitive job applicant. The Incight Education Programs page has links to Incight’s scholarship and education resources.
- Internal Revenue Service – If you work, you must file your taxes. File your taxes for Free if you earn less than $66,000
- Job Accommodation Network – The home page of JAN, a free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the employability of people with disabilities.
- Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center – The KTER Center works to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities by conducting research studies and disseminating information on evidence-based employment practices.
- Lighthouse Learning and Resource LLR – LLR offers guidance to parents and guardians as they navigate the maze of special education services. Much care and attention is given to parent concerns and a child’s social, emotional, and educational needs.
- Linking Employment Abilities and Potential (LEAP) – Innovative Independent Living Project manual to guide people to set up independent living solutions.
- Mosaic (Humble ISD) – Mosaic is the innovative 18+ transition program for Humble ISD students who received special education services through modified high school curriculum and who are ready to actively transition into young adult life. Mosaic serves young adult students who have completed all of their high school credits and state testing requirements and have specific transition needs as identified by their ARD committee. We teach our young adult students important self-determination and self-advocacy skills across four learning domains: Adult Living, Employability, Recreation and Leisure and Life Long Learning.
- My Next Move – Career exploration tools include the O*NET Interest Profiler, which can help you find out what your interests are and how they relate to the world of work.
- National Business & Disability Council – NBDC at The Viscardi Center offers job seekers with disabilities the opportunity to search their database for current job postings.
- National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth – NCWD/Youth offers a range of technical assistance services to state and local workforce investment boards, youth councils and other workforce development system youth programs. This web site features a large number of resources pertaining to career planning, job skills development and employment for adolescents and young adults with disabilities. See The 411 on Disability Disclosure and Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job success: Tips for Parents and Families.
- National Disability Institute – Offers a self-paced e-learning course created by NDI, with support from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, to help Texas residents make sense of disability benefits and rules – Making the Choice to Work: Social Security Disability Benefits and Work Incentives.
- Office of Disability Employment Policy – ODEP (a division of the U.S. Dept. of Labor) provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability employment-related policies and practices affecting an increase in the employment of people with disabilities. The website features a scroll-down list which links to a wide range of disability employment policy resources by topic. There is a good video series on Soft Skills to Pay the Bills. It also links to ODEP’s four research and technical assistance resources: Job Accommodation Network (JAN); LEAD Center; HealthCare.gov; and Cuidadodesalud.gov.
- PACER National Parent Center on Transition and Employment – PACER provides information, resources, and technical assistance to parents of young adults, 14 through 21, with disabilities and the professionals who work with them. Their transition and employment website features excellent Employment resources.
- Partners Resource Center Region 4 – Region 4 Education Service Center provides professional development, products and technical assistance that supports statewide goals for education. Region 4 also serves as a first point of contact for school districts, parents, and other community stakeholders and will provides information concerning students in the area of special education.
- PASS Online – A PASS is an SSI work incentive that lets you use your own income or assets to help you reach your work goals. This website will provide you with the basic information about a PASS and includes a PASS application form with drop down sample answers and helpful hints to assist you in completing the application online. You can then print your completed PASS application and submit it to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Person Directed Planning Guidelines (pdf) – This document is a resource from Texas Health & Human Services. The document provides direction to individuals, families, professionals, providers, and local authorities in developing a person directed plan with emphasis on self-determination and the achievement of personal outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving community services and supports.
- Proyecto Vision – A project of the World Institute on Disability, Proyecto Visión released this in-depth analysis of the challenges Latinos with disabilities face in the U.S. job market: Latinos with Disabilities in the US – English (PDF) / Latinos con Discapacidades en Estados Unidos – Español (PDF).
- Resource Center of Conroe, Texas –We offer education, counseling and consultation for individuals. We will assist and serve you through screening, seminars, workshops and education and counsel.
- Rural Institute of Montana Transition and Employment Projects – This website provides information on customized employment, Social Security work incentive programs, self-employment, and other employment topics. Resources include The Work Experience Guide: How to Create a Work Experience Program at Your School and Emerging Leader Stories about young adults with developmental disabilities living, learning, working and actively participating in their communities.
- Ticket to Work Program – The Ticket to Work (Ticket) program is a free and voluntary program that can help Social Security beneficiaries go to work, get a good job that may lead to a career, and become financially independent, all while they keep their Medicare or Medicaid. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits because of a disability and are age 18 through 64 probably already qualify for the program.
Presenting Your Best Self to Employers – Your resume and your job interview serve as first impressions for a potential employer. Following these tips to present your skills and experience may help you land an interview or job offer. - T.E.A.M Abiliiets – TEAM Abilities is one of the few agencies that invites all levels of need from very Independent to Behaviors to Total Care.
- Texas Career Check – Tools for exploring career and education options. Students can use the interest profiler to help identify occupations relevant to their likes and interests.
- Texas Workforce Commission – Here you can find information about TWC vocational rehabilitation services for people with physical or cognitive disabilities, which include:
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services for adults with disabilities to help prepare for, obtain, retain or advance in employment.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services for youth and students with disabilities to help prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services for people with visual impairments, including the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center.
Click here to find Texas Workforce Solutions offices and services in your area. - The Arc of Greater Houston – The Arc of Greater Houston promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lives.
- The Spectrum Careers – Features a job seeker portal, educational videos and employment resources for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
- The Village Center –
The Village Learning Center, Inc. continues to grow and support the needs of people with a range of disabilities in our community. We hope that with our community’s continued support, we will be able to provide services and care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities despite their level of need or the type of funding they receive.
- Think Beyond The Label – The leading cross-sector partnership offering businesses a range of solutions from diversity recruiting strategies recruitment advertising to planning and training. Think Beyond the Label is powered by Smart Policy Works (formerly Health & Disability Advocates), a nonprofit that has been a driving force behind building smarter systems of access to health, disability employment and income supports for more than 20 years.
- Training Resources Network – This is the home page of Training Resources Network, which offers online presentations, web courses, and downloadable materials covering a range of employments issues, including job coaching and workplace supports, supported employment, person-centered planning, and self- determination.
- Treasures of Joy –
Our vision is to provide a place for healing, recovery, and continued life support to families affected by disabilities of any type, including but not limited to, special needs children and adults, wounded veterans, adult children caring for aging parents, and family members caring for chronically ill loved ones.
- Understood – Leaving High School (transition resources for students with learning and attention issues).
- S. Department of Labor/ Office of Disability Employment Policy – Disability employment policy resources by topic, including information on the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP), Employment First and Customized Employment.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – The website of the EEOC, which is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation and Research Training Center (WorkSupport.com) – The RRTC research team is committed to developing and advancing evidence-based practices to increase the hiring and retention for individuals with disabilities. The web site includes an extensive listing of resources related to employment and job retention for individuals with disabilities.
- VR Practices & Youth – This website features a series of training seminars and webinars related to improving VR service delivery to youth and young adults. Seminar topics include: The Family Role in Career Planning and Preparation for Youth with Disabilities, Integrated Employment: Expectation AND Choice and Introduction to Seamless Transition. Webinars topics include: Customized Employment: An Overview, Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes for Students in Seamless Transition and Engaging Families and Elevating Expectations: A Focus on Employment.
- We Connect NOW – Website dedicated to connecting college students with disabilities in access to higher education and employment issues.
- Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) – The WINTAC is a national center that is funded to provide training and technical assistance (TA) to State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) and related agencies and rehabilitation professionals and service providers to help them develop the skills and processes needed to meet the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
- Workforce Recruitment Program – The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs. This program is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Diversity Management & Equal Opportunity (ODMEO).
- World Institute on Disability – To address the disproportionate poverty that people with disabilities experience, WID’s Center on Economic Growth is committed to building better economic outcomes through benefits reform, increased employment, and financial planning opportunities.
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