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Employment Services

If you have an intellectual or developmental disability and want to work, you have options. Our employment services can help you reach your goals.

  • If you are interested in working, tell your Services Coordinator (SC) or Personal Agent (PA) you want a job. They will help you get started.
  • If you do not have a SC or PA, find out if you’re eligible and how to apply for services on our I/DD Services and Eligibility page.
 Learn about our services Resources Guides Connect with others

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Services

Services are designed around your needs and goals. All services are optional. You may also want more than one service as part of your plan. Talk with your Services Coordinator or Personal Agent about what services might be right for you.

Get ready to work

Job development helps you get ​a job. You will work with a Job Developer. They can help you with things like:

  • Applying for jobs.
  • Practicing for job interviews.
  • Attending job interviews with you.

Once you have a job, you will stop working with your Job Developer. Learn more:

Discovery is for people who want to work but don’t know what they want to do. You will work with a specialist to help you figure out:

  • What kinds of jobs are in your community.
  • What you like doing and what you’re good at.

You may want to consider Discovery if you:

  • Have little or no experience working in the community.
  • Are not sure what type of job to aim for.
  • Want to learn about supports you may need to be successful in a community job.
  • Already have a job and want to change careers.

After you complete the Discovery process, you’ll begin working with a Job Developer to find a job.

If you already have a job, you can still use Discovery. Learn more:

Employment Path helps you get work experience. You will work with an Employment Path specialist to help you practice new skills. They can help with things like:

  • Trying out different work experiences to see what interests you.
  • Job shadowing, where you get to go to a business for a day and see what it’s like.
  • Informational interviews, where you get to talk to the business and learn more about the job.
  • Internships, which is a short-term job for a few months. You may or may not be paid.​

Learn more:

Vocational Rehabilitation will help you find a job that matches your interests and abilities. You will work with a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor to set a job goal, make a plan and get the service you need to be successful. Learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation​.

Pre-Employment Transition Services, also called Pre-ETS, are for students with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 21. These services help students build job skills, explore career interests and learn to advocate for themselves at work. Learn more:

Small Group Employment is where you work as a crew or workgroup. You will join a team of 2 to 8 people at a business or organization while earning wages. The goal is to work with the group for a short time and then get your own job. This is a great way to get confidence before moving to an individual job. Learn more:

Are you interested in working but have questions about how it will affect your benefits? Benefits Counseling​ can help you make an informed decision about working.

Get help on the job

Job coaching helps you once you have a job. A Job Coach will go to work with you and help you be successful at work. They may help you with things like:

  • Learning how to do your new job.
  • Learning the rules at the businesses where you work
  • Getting along with your coworkers.
  • Helping you if you get confused.
  • Helping you ask for workplace accommodations. These are tools or changes you might need to do your job.

Job coaching is typically short-term. The goal of a job coach is to help you learn your job so that you can do it on your own. Learn more:

Assistance on the job with personal care, communication and other needs. This service is available after job coaching ends.

Support to establish your own business. You can get help with things like:

  • Business coaching and planning.
  • Other resources that could help with funding and small business grants for entrepreneurs with disabilities.
  • Workshops to help you market your business, handle finances and grow your brand.

Get transportation or related supports to and from work. This could be funds for transportation or a person to help using public​ transit.

Get tools and technology to help you do you​r job.

Resources

More ways to get help

The Oregon Department of Human Services has programs to help older adults and people who receive food or cash benefits find a job. See Get Help Finding a Job.

WorkSource Oregon has one-stop career centers around the state.

People receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a disability or blindness automatically qualify for the federal Ticket to Work program. You can receive employment services through a designated Employment Network Provider.

The Oregon Employment Department is also a resource for job seekers.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN): JAN helps people with disabilities explore accommodation ideas. JAN also helps people learn how to request an accommodation from an employer.


Employment guides

Employment Road Map: Complete the questions in this form to get information on which services might be right for you.

Employment Outcomes System: Use this tool to find and compare employment providers in your community.

Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition Guide to Community Employment: This guide has information about:

  • What employment services are available.
  • How to choose an employment provider.
  • How to use the Employment Outcomes System to research employment providers.
  • What to do if you’re unhappy with your services.
  • Myths and truths about working in the community.

The Self-Advocate Guide and Resources: The Self-Advocate Guide to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Services will help you:

  • Advocate for yourself.
  • Learn about I/DD services.
  • Get ready to plan your services.
  • Take the Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA).
  • Make your Individual Support Plan.
  • Take action if your support needs aren't being met.

Connect with others

Starting a job, managing work responsibilities, and navigating services can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Advocacy groups and peer networks connect you with others who share similar experiences and can offer guidance, encouragement and support.

  • Oregon Self-Advocacy Coalition (OSAC) is the voice of disability self-advocacy in Oregon. OSAC advocates for the equal rights of people with disabilities. OSAC develops programs to help further the advancement of people with disabilities.
  • Family and Community Together (FACT) helps families who have children with disabilities. You can call FACT to get help from other parents of children with disabilities.
  • Centers for Independent Living provide services to help you live independently. These community centers are located throughout the state. They are run by people with disabilities.