Updated 09/2022
Introduction
There are several programs and organizations available to assist individuals with disabilities, including veterans, in job training, résumé writing, employment searches and volunteer opportunities. Some organizations also provide information about on-the-job accommodations for individuals with disabilities and veterans. The following resources can help you in identifying these employment programs.
Federal Programs and Resources
CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop is the career, training and job search Web site for the U.S. Department of Labor and is a partner with the American Job Center Network. The Web site serves job seekers, businesses, students and career advisors with free online tools, information and resources and offers resources specifically for the disability community.
Phone: (877) 872-5627
Web: careeronestop.org/resourcesfor/workerswithdisabilities/workers-with-disabilities.aspx
Email: info@careeronestop.org
Centers for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies that provide independent living services. At a minimum, centers funded by the program are required to provide the following core services:
- Information and referral
- IL skills training
- Peer counseling
- Individual and systems advocacy
- Services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community.
Depending on funding levels, centers may also provide a variety of other services to assist the disability community to function independently in the family or community and/or to continue in employment. To locate the Center for Independent Living in your area, please use the Web page below.
Web: ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory
Schedule A Hiring Authority
The Schedule A Hiring Authority for people with disabilities is an exception to the traditional hiring process. Schedule A streamlines the hiring process for persons with disabilities and, in some instances, hiring officials may select solely from a list of qualified Schedule A applicants.
You can apply using Schedule A if you are a person with an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability. In order to be selected you, will need to show that you meet the qualifications of the job (with or without reasonable accommodation).
Web: https://www.eeoc.gov/publications/abcs-schedule-tips-applicants-disabilities-getting-federal-jobs
Schedule A Template: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/odep/wrp/schedulealetter.pdf
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
OPM serves as the chief human resource agency for the federal government. OPM also provides resources for job seekers with disabilities and veterans.
Phone: (202) 606-1800
Website: https://www.opm.gov/
U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
ODEP promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities.
Phone: (866) 633-7365
Web: dol.gov/odep
Email: odep@dol.gov
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
VR&E assists veterans and service members with job training, résumé development, employment accommodations and job-seeking skills coaching. Other services may include helping veterans start their own business or independent living services for individuals who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.
U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)
The Social Security Administration has several resources regarding employment. The SSA also administers the Ticket to Work Program, which allows most people receiving Social Security benefits to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services or other work-related support from an employment network of their choice. Additionally, the SSA’s Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) program allows disabled individuals to set aside money and/or things they own to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal.
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Web: ssa.gov
Email: secure.ssa.gov/emailus
Private Organizations
AgrAbility
AgrAbility assists farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities through education and assistance. AgrAbility helps with employment within the agricultural industry, access to appropriate assistive technology, information related to the treatment and rehabilitation of disabling conditions and support for family caregivers.
Phone: (800) 825-4264
Web: http://www.agrability.org/contact-lists/
Employment Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) offers information and resources to help employers recruit, hire, retain and advance people with disabilities.
Web: https://askearn.org/
Email: earn@askearn.org
Easter Seals Job Training and Placement
Easter Seals provides a variety of services and supports to help people with disabilities and other needs obtain and maintain employment.
Phone: (800) 221-6827
Web: easterseals.com/our-programs/employment-training
Goodwill Services for People With Disabilities
Services vary by location but may include job placement and career assistance for individuals with disabilities.
Phone: (800) 466-9455
Web: goodwill.org/find-jobs-and-services
Email: contactus@godwill.org
Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)
ICI provides training, technical assistance, service, research, and information sharing, with a focus on ending disability-based discrimination and exclusion and building the capacity of communities to sustain all their citizens.
Phone: (617) 287-4300
Web: https://www.communityinclusion.org/areas-of-emphasis/employment
Email: ici@umb.edu
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the employability of people with disabilities.
Phone: (800) 526-7234
Web: askjan.org
Email: jan@askjan.org
National Institute on Disabilities (NDI)
NDI is first national nonprofit committed exclusively to financial education & empowerment for people with disabilities. For over 15 years, NDI has worked with diverse partners in the disability community and public and private sectors to improve financial decision-making and opportunities for people with disabilities.
Phone: (202) 296-2040
Email: info@ndi-inc.org
Web: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/
ServiceSource
ServiceSource is a nonprofit corporation with regional offices and programs located in five states. Some of their varied services include job placement, vocational training, vocational rehabilitation services, vocational evaluation and placement and assistive technology assessments. States with ServiceSource offices are: Colorado, Delaware, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Web: https://www.servicesource.org/contact-us/
U.S. Small Business Association
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. SBA is an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, preserve free competitive enterprise, and maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
Veteran’s Assistance Program/Veteran Owned Small Businesses
Phone: (202) 205-6773
Web: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-assistance-programs
The contents of the following Web sites are solely the responsibility of their authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Amputee Coalition. The Amputee Coalition cannot and does not make specific recommendations for products or services. No Amputee Coalition endorsement is implied.
abilityJOBS
abilityJOBS offers résumé posting and job searches for individuals with disabilities. abilityJOBS also offers employers the ability to search résumés for individuals with disabilities.
Web: abilityjobs.com
Email: abilityjobs.com/job-seeker-contact
Chronically Capable
Chronically Capable is an organization looking to remove barriers of those living with chronic illnesses and disabilities from the hiring process. Job seekers who use the platform can feel secure that participating employers care about their success.
Web: https://www.wearecapable.org/
disABLEDperson, Inc.
disABLEDperson, Inc.’s mission is to reduce the high unemployment rate of individuals with disabilities. Their services include free résumé postings and job searching.
Phone: (760) 420-1269
Web: disabledperson.com
Email: info@disabledperson.com
Disability Solutions@AbilityBeyond
Disability Solutions work with employers to drive traffic to their job postings by actively recruiting candidates with disabilities from local and national workforce community partners.
Web: https://www.disabilitytalent.org/jobseekers
Diversity Job Board
Diversity Job Board connects minority candidates with the best companies and organizations that will help them reach their career goals.
Web: https://www.diversityjobboard.com/
Galt Foundation
The Galt Foundation is a non-profit organization, matching organizations with motivated employees. The organization’s mission is to provide employment opportunities for those with disabilities.
Phone: (866) 496-4159 / (877) 361-1277
Web: https://www.galtfoundation.org/
Email: info@galtfoundation.org
Getting Hired
Getting Hired is a recruitment site that helps inclusive employers search for and hire professional individuals with disabilities.
Phone: (866) 352-7481
Web: gettinghired.com
Email: gettinghired.com/en/contact-us
National Labor Exchange (NLx)
National Labor Exchange is a resource for employers and state workforce agencies to connect workers with job openings. It also connects state and federal agencies, nonprofit and Veteran organizations, and disability/diversity partners to assist employers with recruitment goals.
Web: https://usnlx.com/
O’Net
O’Net has detailed descriptions of the world of work; used by job seekers, HR professionals, students and more. Browse over 900+ occupations based on your goals and interests. The occupations come with comprehensive reports to learn about job requirements, characteristics and available opportunities based on selected states within the U.S.
Web: https://www.onetonline.org/
Skills Bridge
The DOD SkillBridge program is an opportunity for Service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. The program also connects Service members with industry partners in real-world job experiences.
Web: https://skillbridge.osd.mil/contacts.htm
USAJOBS
USAJOBS connects job seekers with federal employment opportunities across the United States and around the world; including veterans and job seeks with disabilities. USA Jobs utilizes Schedule A Hiring Authority (Information found under Federal Programs and Resources) for those with disabilities and have special hiring for some departments for veterans.
Programs for College Students and Recent Graduates With Disabilities
Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE)
CAPE-Youth is a collaboration between The Council of State Governments, the K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University. The Center works to improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities by helping states build capacity in their youth service delivery and workforce systems.
Web: https://capeyouth.org/about-us/
Email: info@capeyouth.org
Disability:IN
Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide.
Disability:IN also has a program called NexGen Leaders Program; Disability:IN NextGen Leaders are college students and recent graduates with disabilities. Students are matched one-on-one with mentors from Disability:IN Corporate Partners across all industries like Google, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Boeing, and Pfizer.
Web : https://disabilityin.org
Email : info@disabilityIN.org
Job Corps
Job Corps is the largest and free residential education and job training program for young adults, aged 16–24.
Phone: 800-733-5627
Web: https://www.jobcorps.gov/
Email: NationalOffice@jobcorps.gov
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Every state has a federally funded Vocational Rehabilitation program that provides specialized employment and education-related services and training to assist teens and adults with disabilities in becoming employed. VR services vary from state to state but can include:
- Medical, psychological, and vocational assessments
- Counseling and guidance
- Vocational and other types of training; including job training
- Interpreter and reader services
- Services to family members
- Rehabilitation technology/Adaptive technology or equipment once employed
- Placement and post-employment services, such as having one-on-one job coaching, or On-The-Job Training (OJT) or follow-along services once placed at the worksite
- Other goods and services necessary to achieve rehab objectives
- Payment for transportation and vehicle modification (in some cases)
To locate your state’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, you can access your state’s resources through the Amputee Coalition’s State Resource Map or you can contact the National Limb Loss Resource Center at (888) 267-5669.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with college students and recent graduates with disabilities, to internship and employment opportunities.
Web: wrp.gov
Email: wrp@dol.gov
Employment Resources for Disabled Veterans
AMVETS Career Center
AMVETS Career Center offers career training and employment assistance free-of-charge for veterans and service members.
Phone: (877) 726-8387
Web: amvets.org/prepare-for-employment
Email: amvets@amvets.org
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
DAV is a nonprofit and leader in connecting veterans with meaningful employment, hosting job fairs and other employment-related resources.
Phone: (877) 426-2838
Web: https://www.dav.org/contact-us/
Heroes Work Here (The Walt Disney World Company)
The Walt Disney World Company’s Heroes Work Here initiative is to hire, train and provide support to retuning veterans.
Web: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/heroes-work-here?CMP=ILC-DPFY22Q1wo0203210008A
Hire Our Heroes (HOH)
Hire Our Heroes is a nonprofit organization founded and operated by veterans for veterans. HOH’s services include free training, career transition and a job board for veterans.
Web: hireourheroes.org
Email: hireourheroes.org/contact
National Veteran’s Foundation (NVF)
The National Veteran’s Foundation (NVF)’s primary mission is to serve the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families. The organization provides job resources for veterans.
Phone: (310) 642-0255
Web: https://jobs.nvf.org/
Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)
IVMF at Syracuse University is focused on advancing the lives of military veterans and their families across the country, post-service. IVMF offers different career-based programs and trainings (Some which are held virtually) to assist miliary veterans and their families with transitioning to employment.
Phone: (315) 443-0141/ (833) THE- IVMF
Web: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/
Email: IVMFeducation@syr.edu
Wounded Warrior Project
Warriors to Work-Veteran Employment Program
Warriors to Work-Veteran Employment Program is a program under the nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project; providing warriors and their family members with the resources and assistance they need to be successful in the civilian workforce.
Phone: 888.WWP.ALUM (997.2586) or 904.405.1213
Web: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/warriors-to-work
Volunteer Opportunities for Veterans
The Mission Center
The Mission Center’s mission is for all veterans with a desire to continue their service to be part of a nationwide movement to transform communities.
Phone: (314) 588 8805
Web: https://www.missioncontinues.org/contact-us/
Email: info@missioncontinues.org
Travis Manion Foundation
The foundation develops programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen, and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community at large.
Phone: (215) 348-9080
Web: https://www.travismanion.org/
Resume and Cover Letter Resources
The contents of the following Web sites are solely the responsibility of their authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Amputee Coalition. The Amputee Coalition cannot and does not make specific recommendations for products or services. No Amputee Coalition endorsement is implied.
Business News Daily
Tips for Creating a Great Resume
Web: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3207-resume-writing-tips.html
Harvard Business Review
How to Write a Cover Letter
Web: https://hbr.org/2014/02/how-to-write-a-cover-letter
The Muse
43 Resume Tips That Will Help You Get Hired
Web: https://www.themuse.com/advice/43-resume-tips-that-will-help-you-get-hired
The Writing Center-University of Wisconsin-Madison
Writing Cover Letters
Web: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/coverletters/
It is not the intention of the Amputee Coalition to provide specific medical or legal advice but rather to provide consumers with information to better understand their health and healthcare issues. The Amputee Coalition does not endorse any specific treatment, technology, company, service or device. Consumers are urged to consult with their healthcare providers for specific medical advice or before making any purchasing decisions involving their care.
© Amputee Coalition. Local reproduction for use by Amputee Coalition constituents is permitted as long as this copyright information is included. Organizations or individuals wishing to reprint this article in other publications, including other websites must contact the Amputee Coalition for permission to do so, by emailing a request to communications@amputee-coalition.org.