Employment
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities can be competitively employed in their communities. We believe that people with disabilities should be supported to make informed choices about their work and careers, and should have the resources to seek, obtain, and be successful in integrated community employment. In addition, in the rare situations, when individuals are not able to work, volunteer opportunities should be pursued and made available.
You can read The Arc of United States Position Statement on Employment and review the latest news on employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
DDS Employment Blueprint Initiative began in 2014. You can learn more about this initiative and find resources as well as ongoing staff training opportunities here.
Plain-language fact sheet from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission explains the employment-related rights that the Americans with Disabilities Act provides to people with disabilities. |
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/ada18.htmlThe mission of APSE is to provide advocacy and education, to advance employment and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities. |
http://apse.orgThe Arc@Work develops innovative workforce solutions for the government and private sector by connecting employers with talented employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities and supporting the recruitment, on-boarding, and retention process. |
https://www.thearc.org/thearcatworkDDS is the primary state agency providing funding and supports to Massachusetts residents with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families. Provides case management for eligible consumers. Funds residential, day/work, transportation, and family support programs. In 2014 services expanded to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Prader Willi Syndrome and Smith Magentis Syndrome. Visit the website below for more information. |
http://www.mass.gov/ddsAutism Advantage @ Work is a Career Development Initiative to place individuals with an Autism diagnosis for job placement in the information technology industry. HMEA has partnered with Dell EMC to offer employment opportunities. |
https://hmea.org/autism-advantage/A Mass.-based research clearinghouse that provides numerous online resources for individuals with disabilities. Hosts the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC), which works to identify, expand and support strategies that are successful in helping individuals with disabilities obtain employment. |
http://www.communityinclusion.orgJAN provides information on workplace accommodations for various disabilities. |
https://askjan.org/This publication from the IRS presents basic information about existing tax credits and benefits that may be available to qualifying taxpayers with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and businesses or other entities wishing to accommodate persons with disabilities. |
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3966.pdfA state agency which provides funding and counseling to help individuals with disabilities attain the skills necessary to secure employment. |
http://www.mass.gov/mrcManaged by the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training. Local Centers provide referrals, a computer database of job openings, and counseling services for individuals seeking employment. |
http://www.detma.org/detoffices.htmFact sheet from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission addresses common questions about how the ADA protects job applicants with disabilities. Includes information about reasonable accommodation for the application process and tips for discussing disability and accommodation with a potential employer. |
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/jobapplicant.htmlThe YES! Center is a national Training and Technical Assistance Center that serves as a central source of information, expertise and comprehensive support for the Partnerships in Employment (PIE) state projects. The YES! Center works closely with PIE states to develop customized plans for each state to ensure improved employment outcomes, working toward the goal to improve competitive, integrated employment outcomes for transition-aged youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)
. | https://www.yestoemployment.org
