Community partnerships can assist in tapping into existing talent pools that meet job qualifications. The following organizations are examples of agencies that can help connect employers with potential job candidates with disabilities.
State Vocational Rehabilitation Office
The National Employment Team, operated by the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), helps employers and businesses find and recruit job seekers with disabilities. Find your local vocational rehabilitation business representative.
American Job Centers
American Job Centers provide all job seekers, including people with disabilities and veterans, with assistance in finding employment through job postings, publications, and other resources. When contacting these organizations, ask for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or a Disability Navigator who specialize in helping individuals with disabilities find employment. For veterans, contact the Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVERs) and the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOPs) representative housed at the American Job Centers. Call 1-855-ASK-EARN or email earn@AskEARN.org to obtain a directory of local contacts
Independent Living Centers
Centers for Independent Living (CIL/ILC) are community-based nonprofit agencies that are designed and operated by individuals with disabilities. Some CILS offer employment services for employers seeking people with disabilities, and most will keep track of employers within their service area who offer these opportunities, as they are often contacted by job seekers with disabilities. Employers who are actively recruiting people with disabilities can use this website to locate CILs within their state. Employers who contact ILCS can get advice on Return-To-Work programs.
Veterans Organizations
For recruiting and hiring veterans with disabilities, contact the Service Officer or Service Employment Coordinator at your local Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service. Call 1-855-ASK-EARN or email earn@askEARN.org to obtain a directory of local contacts.
Students with Disabilities Network
An effective method for recruiting college students with disabilities is reaching out to the disability services departments located on all college and university campuses.
- Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) works with higher education institutions and assists them in developing collaborative relationships between the Disability Services and Career Services office at over 600 colleges and universities.
Employment Networks
Employers who are interested in recruiting people with disabilities, including Social Security beneficiaries, can contact an Employment Network (EN) through the Ticket to Work (TTW) program. To find out more about TTW and ENs, contact:
- Visit the Employer Ticket To Work website or contact the Employment Network Contracts Team at 1-866-584-5180.
- To locate available ENs in your area, see the Employment Network/TTW Directory (search by zip, city, or state).
Other Resources
Making Work Happen<http://www.makingworkhappen.com/Employers/index.cfm>
The Making Work Happen toolkit, from the Northeast ADA Center at Cornell University, is designed to enable employers to integrate disability into their diversity and inclusion efforts and to work effectively with disability service providers.
