If you’re disabled and having trouble in the job market, you’re not alone.  While unemployment rates around the nation remain high, the disabled population faces specific challenges when seeking employment.  Often, the journey to find employment can be made easier for disabled people who are aware of federal and state resources designed to assist in navigating the job market and connecting job seekers with specially-funded programs.See the Top List of  Disability Employment Resources below to get started on locating a job.

Resources to Connect the Disabled with Job Opportunities

Below is a list of programs designed to connect disabled job seekers with the networking and funding opportunities to locate employment?

• State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Offices—typically provide counseling, job and education training, and job placeman services to disabled recipients of SSD and SSI.
• The Employer Locator– an online tool which provides contact information for individual employers in the location and field you choose to work.
• One-Stop Career Centers—offer access to computers, job listings, and resume writing assistance for job seekers.
• Job Banks—many states keep a comprehensive list of job openings in your state.
• Employer Assistance Resource Network (EARN)—offer online resources to job seekers with disabilities.
• State Governor’s Office on the Employment of People with Disabilities—also called Governor’s Committees on Employment of People with Disabilities.  You can contact this office for resources that exist to help find employment.
• Disability Program Navigators (DPNs)—work in One-Stop Centers and are knowledgeable about how to connect the disabled with needed programs.
• Independent Living Centers—offer assistance in learning to live independently, find a house, and locate jobs.

Recommendation for Obtaining Employment

First, if you’re a disabled US. Citizen receiving Social Security benefits for your disability, you should definitely join the Ticket to Work Program by contacting your local Social Security Administration Office.  The Ticket to Work Program is often coordinated by your local Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Office.  So, you can contact the Department of Labor in Your County to inquire about the VR Program.  Check out this video on the Choose Work Site, which offers information about how the Ticket to Work Program works.

If you don’t receive Social Security benefits, then try connecting with a Disability Program Navigator (through the link above) to find about programs and funding which can help you.  Also use the One-Stop Carrere Centers to research available jobs.  Remember that you can find job listings via the Jo Banks link above.  You can then use The Employer Locator to contact employers directly for job opening and application information.   Finding a job requires a lot of networking and research.  The more efforts you devote to building contacts and locating resources, the better chances you have of finally landing the job you want!