People with Disabilities

If you receive SSI/SSDI benefits and are thinking about going back to work, you might be concerned about how your earnings will affect your benefits. By attending any of the Work Incentive Workshops, you may be able to get some of your questions answered.

Open Workforce Employment Fund
The Open Workforce Employment Fund (OWEF) provides one-time, short-term financial assistance to people with disabilities who are experiencing barriers to maintaining or obtaining competitive employment.

Workforce Job Connections
The Workforce Job Connections is a monthly publication of the Workforce Disability Asset Network. The Workforce Asset Summit, held in June 2013, brought together members of the asset development community and the disability community and started a dialogue on how the two can work together to build economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. The Workforce Job Connections provides updates from the Asset Network workgroup's activities, notices of events in the community and feature articles about various asset building strategies and how to use them.

Support for Employers

The Workforce Employment Solution system welcomes businesses seeking to recruit workers for a diverse workforce, including workers who have disabilities.
 
For assistance in attracting and retaining a diverse workforce – including workers with disabilities, contact the Workforce Center nearest you.
The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) works to bring about full access to employment, independence and community integration for people with disabilities.
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
  • Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI)
  • Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened (DoD)

Workforce Center Accessibility Equipment List
All Workforce Centers are equipped to serve those with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request.
  • Video Magnifier (aka CCTV)
    Device for magnifying printed material
  • Sorenson Video Phone
    Allows ASL users to communicate with other ASL users or hearing persons
  • Jaws (a screen reader) 
    Program for speaking text displayed on the computer screen
  • ZoomText (a screen magnifier)
    Program for magnifying text displayed on the computer screen
  • Interpretype/ITY
    An interactive communication system that provides a means of communicating without using speech
  • Pocketalker Pro
    Device for amplifying speech for individuals communicating in a one-on-one situation
  • FM System
    Device for amplifying speech in a group setting
  • Infinity Table
    A motorized table that may be height adjusted
  • Turbo Trackball
    Computer mouse alternative
  • GoldTouch/Keyboard/Pad
    Alternative keyboard
  • SmartNAV AT  
    Hands free computer operation
  • TextHelp! Read & Write Gold
    Computer program to assist with writing and reading
The Workforce Department of Labor provides Equal Opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.