Employment Services

Employment services support individuals with disabilities in preparing for, finding, and maintaining competitive integrated employment. This can include vocational assessments to identify strengths and interests, job skills training, resume building, interview preparation, job placement assistance, and ongoing job coaching once employed.

Supported employment programs provide one-on-one job coaching at the worksite to help the individual learn their job tasks, navigate workplace social situations, and build independence over time. The goal is typically to fade job coaching support as the individual becomes more confident and skilled in their role. Some programs also offer customized employment, which involves working with an employer to create or modify a job to match the individual's abilities.

In California, the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) provides vocational rehabilitation services for eligible individuals. Regional Centers also fund supported employment programs through vendored service providers. The Ticket to Work program allows individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits to explore employment without immediately losing their benefits. Many Bay Area nonprofits operate employment programs that specialize in placing people with developmental disabilities in local businesses.