Feature Issue on Employment and IDD
Resources
How Work Affects Benefits
Pathfinders for Autism Tips
This downloadable guide explains the details about how work affects Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid benefits.
The Red Book: A Guide to Work Incentives and Employment Supports
This Social Security Administration reference guide covers employment-related provisions of the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs.
Employment Help
ICI UMass Employment Services
The Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts in Boston produces several employment services for job seekers with disabilities, including a work experience program and an individual placement service. It uses a person-centered approach to support people with disabilities through the career exploration and job development processes.
Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
This national organization supports its members in focusing on inclusive employment and career advancement for all people with disabilities. Some of its resources include trainings and workshops, webinars, podcasts, and legislative tracking and action items.
SELN: The Employment Pathway
This guide by the State Employment Leadership Network takes case managers through the steps of having conversations about employment with the people they support. It includes tools and information about first starting the conversation, pursuing set goals, and finding career success.
Community Approach to Employment Services
Community Life Engagement Toolkit
This toolkit helps service providers assess and improve service offerings, with an emphasis on engaging people with disabilities in all aspects of their communities, including their work lives.
Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy celebrates awareness throughout October with key messages and ideas to advance workplace inclusion.
National Centers
Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion
This site , funded by the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), offers information and resources for employers on recruiting, hiring, retaining, and advancing people with disabilities in their careers. It contains resources such as self-paced trainings, webinars, and toolkits.
Job Accommodation Network
This network is the leading source of guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. It provides technical assistance, one-on-one guidance and consultation, and digital resources for employers on job accommodations and the ADA and related legislation.
National Center on Leadership for Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center)
The LEAD Center , a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) policy development center, produces policy recommendations and research, technical assistance, and resources on workforce development, financial empowerment, and employment strategies for people with disabilities and their employers.
Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT)
This site contains several resources, including employer toolkits, a podcast, a newsletter, and policy recommendations, on accessibility and technology for people with disabilities in the workplace.
Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth)
This center focuses on promoting workforce inclusion for youth ages 16-24 with disabilities. It contains resources such as webinars, policy briefs, technical assistance, and information about individual state policies related to employment for youth with disabilities.
Resources for Employers
DETAC National Community of Practice Webinars
These webinars , produced by the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC), provide information about accessibility and technology in the workplace. The webinars occur monthly, and access to blogs and podcasts are also included with registration.
Employment First Community of Practice Webinar Series
This monthly webinar series , created by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), provides information to employers to increase workplace inclusion and access for people with disabilities. Webinars are held on the second Wednesday of each month.
Inclusive Hiring Essentials
This video , produced by Aspire Chicago, includes keynote commentary and a panel discussion about setting a foundation for success in inclusive hiring. This resource is primarily directed at employers and features business leaders across several industries.
ES-Coach
This resource is a smartphone-based tool for employment consultants to reflect on and improve their implementation of employment services. Three quick questions and tips about best practices will be sent to your smartphone at a random time each day – answering takes less than a minute!
The Arc@Work
This national organization provides several services for employers and business owners looking to improve inclusion in the workplace, including assessment of workplace environment and practices, disability awareness and bias training, and resources for supporting new hires and creating a network of connections with the disability workforce.
Employment Help
ICI UMass Employment Services
The Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts in Boston produces several employment services for job seekers with disabilities, including a work experience program and an individual placement service. It uses a person-centered approach to support people with disabilities through the career exploration and job development processes.
Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
This national organization supports its members in focusing on inclusive employment and career advancement for all people with disabilities. Some of its resources include trainings and workshops, webinars, podcasts, and legislative tracking and action items.
Udac
This organization , located in Duluth, Minnesota, provides several programs in employment exploration, development, and support for people with disabilities. They also provide resources for health and wellness, independent living, and community connection.
TSE, Inc. Community Employment Services
This organization provides a number of services to support people with disabilities in becoming more involved in their communities, including a program for employment in the community. TSE, Inc. serves people with IDD throughout the Twin Cities, and requires a county case manager to initiate the referral for services.
Employment and Employment Supports: A Guide to Ensuring Informed Choice for Individuals with Disabilities
This resource , created by David Hoff and Nicholas Holz at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, is a guide for families and support teams that provides steps for ensuring people with IDD are able to make informed choices about seeking and maintaining employment.
SELN: The Employment Pathway
This guide by the State Employment Leadership Network takes case managers through the steps of having conversations about employment with the people they support. It includes tools and information about first starting the conversation, pursuing set goals, and finding career success.
Employment Data and Statistics
Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics (2023)
In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that 22.5% of people with disabilities in the United States were employed—the highest ratio recorded yet. This report contains national data on labor force participation by people with disabilities, as well as data on demographic and other characteristics of the national disability labor force.
StateData: The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes Through 2021
This report , published in 2023 by the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, is the most recent update to a collection of survey data from service providers in each state on the economic status of adults with IDD, including employment, wages, and economic supports.