Employment: Resources & Guides (General Audience)

This guide covers topics and covers supports like vocational rehabilitation and transportation. It was created by youth and adult partners from the National Youth Action Council on Transition (YouthACT). It is written for adolescents looking for employment.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) published this guide. The Office of Special Education Programs (along with partners in the Rehabilitation Services Administration) has issued this guide to advance efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be engaged in the 21st century workforce.

This transition guide addresses the following topics to facilitate a seamless transition from school to post-school activities:
Transition planning: opportunities and programs
Transition services and requirements, as authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act;
Education and employment options for students and youth with disabilities after leaving secondary school; Supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities.

Through its ten regional centers, the ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their services are tailored to meet the needs of business, government and individuals at local, regional and national levels.

The largest Community Action Agency and Head Start provider in Ohio. Their mission is to invest in Cuyahoga County residents.

Besides a robust Head Start program, CEOGC offers a Personal and Family Development Program and a Job and Career Training Center.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing employment among Americans with disabilities. The organization works with job seekers and employers ranging across all forms of business.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) 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. It is also illegal to discriminate against a person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit.

Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases). Most labor unions and employment agencies are also covered.

The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

An online guide to help direct individuals looking for community employment in the state of Ohio. There are downloadable tools that assist in defining the applicant’s skill set, as well as a tutorial on the job seeking process.

For more information about Employment First, a program through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities visit their website.

A peer-to-peer business organization that provides employers with information and resources about how best to recruit, select, train and retain a workforce that includes individuals with disabilities.

Through the Ohio Business Leadership Network, members have access to the following:

-Learning best business practices from Ohio companies that have successfully employed people with disabilities and benefited from a diverse workforce representative of Ohio’s largest minority group;
-Employer-focused training provided at no charge at employer worksites through webinars;
-Federal contractors can receive assistance with meeting section 503 requirements and connections to qualified candidates with disabilities;
-Connections to the U.S. Business Leadership Network, a national association of experienced employers;
-Quarterly meetings for business contacts;
-Networking opportunities;
-Consultation opportunities with peers;
-Hiring resources such as the newly released Employer Toolkit for Hiring People with Disabilities

This website provides individuals, families and professionals with the information needed to create opportunities for all individuals with developmental disabilities to work within the community.

You can submit an event related to employment, request a speaker for their event, or simply email us. Information on state policy, best practices, resources, taskforce updates and an event calendar is available to anyone who visits the website.

Coordinates efforts among state agency partners: the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Department of Mental Health, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence, Ohio Office of Budget and Management and Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission.

A comprehensive training and employment research site, available to match jobs with potential applicants. There are multiple resources relating to job training, career planning, and budget planning.

Vocational Assistance helps individuals with disabilities find a job and be more independent. This involves deciding if a person is eligible, setting an employment goal, putting the goal into a plan, and getting the job services and training needed to get a job. Job coaching and other employment services may also be involved.

Formally known as Rehabilitation Services Commission (RSC), Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is the State of Ohio agency that partners with Ohioans with disabilities to achieve quality employment and independence. We are also charged with making determinations on Social Security disability.

They have an online tool that allows staff and vocational rehabilitation (VR) participants to research available providers in their area. Searches can be targeted by a specific VR service, or by county, city, address, provider type (i.e. Employment First) or provider name. The OOD Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) Scorecards will also be part of this new tool.

RespectAbility is on the front lines in the battle to reduce stigmas, failed government policies, and other obstacles that deny people with disabilities the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Their free tools and factual resources inform so people with disabilities can achieve the education, training, jobs, security and good health that everyone needs and deserves.

They can identify and promote best practices for jobs and careers for people with disabilities through direct outreach, and
raise public awareness of the ABILITIES of people with disabilities through the promotion of positive images and stories in the media.

TalentScout is a resource that offers information for organizations hiring people with autism. It helps orient companies with the strategies needed to create a welcoming, successful and productive environment for people with autism.

Free employment website that helps job seekers with autism prepare for and find employment. It also can help employers and service providers find qualified candidates.