| Employment FAQ |
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Table of Contents
Updated September, 2006 [ top ] Q1) Are there laws that protect people with disabilities against employment discrimination? A) Yes, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title I, addresses employment of persons with disabilities. Also, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended). Section 501 prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities
In the federal sector; Section 503 requires that any contract in excess of $10,000 entered into by any federal department or agency of the United States There may be more laws enacted by the state in which you live. ECNV suggests that you contact your local Center for Independent Living (CIL) or your state [ top ] Q2) How does the ADA effect people with disabilities in the employment process? A) The ADA prohibits discrimination in all employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, [ top ] Q3) What if I need some accommodations in the workplace in order to do my job? A) An employer must make reasonable accommodations for you according to the ADA. A reasonable accommodation is a modification of a job, job site or way Accommodations can be high-tech (e.g., voice dictation software), low-tech (e.g., a simple switch or button to allow an employee to use a computer mouse), [ top ] Q4) What are some examples of accommodations? A) Examples of some accommodations are:
For more information on job accommodations, contact: The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Provides information and technical assistance to consumers and employers on accommodations for workers with disabilities including accommodation methods, devices, policy and problem solving strategies. Maintains a computerized database describing job site accommodations that businesses have developed. [ top ] Q5) I am receiving SSI/SSDI. Will employment affect the amount of money I get from Social Security? A) It might. In most cases your SSI/SSDI check will be reduced following employment. But the amount it goes down by will depend on your income. If you are receiving SSI, and you go to work, the amount your check goes down depends on the state in which you live and whether or not you are married. The amount of earnings one can have while receiving SSDI is different. A blind person can earn up to $1450 in 2006, and this amount is $1,500, in 2007. Nonblind disabled persons receiving SSDI can earn up to $860 in 2006, and in 2007 this earnings limit is $900. This earnings limit does not include disability-related work expenses. The U.S. Social Security Administration Ticket to Work Program [ top ] Q6) I saw a job announcement, and I want to apply for the job. How should I go about that? A) A job announcement oftentimes will list specifics about how to apply for a certain job and, of course, you should follow exactly any instructions the If there are no directions in the announcement, you should apply for the job by sending a cover letter and your resume by postal service mail. A résumé is a document
that lists your contact information, your skills, your education and your past employment experiences for the potential employer. There are different types
(functional, chronological or a combination of the two) and styles (classic, multiple column, etc.) of résumés and you can get help from your local CIL [ top ] Q7) What rehabilitation services can I get in Virginia? A) If you have a physical or mental disability, The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services is a government organization that provides services to Virginians with these disabilities. The Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) generally provides short-term services to Virginia residents but may also purchase long-term vocational services from other organizations. Such services may include job search assistance, supported employment, sheltered employment options and assistive technology. DRS Field Offices: Alexandria Office Annandale Office Fairfax Office (Main Office for Northern Virginia) Leesburg Office Manassas Office Persons who are deaf and hard of hearing may contact: Persons who are blind or visually impaired should contact: DBVI has six regional offices, and Northern Virginia residents can contact: [ top ] Q8) What are the Vocational Rehabilitation Programs in Virginia? A) DRS and DBVI each offer Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs. DRS assists people with physical and mental disabilities get ready for, find and keep a job. Persons entering the vocational rehabilitation program must have an employment goal. There are 36 offices across Virginia and a residential training and medical rehabilitation center, the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, located in Fishersville, VA. Find your local DRS office at www.vadrs.org/offices. For more information about the VR Program at DRS visit DBVI rehabilitation programs focus on training and rehabilitation to assist persons who are blind or have low vision to function using nonvisual techniques or low vision aids. Those entering the vocational rehabilitation program must have an employment goal. Those who are legally blind and over 55 or who need to learn nonvisual ways of functioning for daily life activities may enter the rehabilitation teaching program. The DBVI operates a residential rehabilitation center in Richmond, VA, The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI) Find further information and a complete list of DBVI services and offices at www.vdbvi.org [ top ] Q9) What are some resources for people with my specific disability? A) There are many organizations that work with/for specific disabilities. The list below is not a complete listing of those organizations as such a list Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind offers services to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Their career services include: skills training for todays American Council of the Blind The Council strives to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people by: serving as a representative national organization of blind people; National Federation of the Blind (NFB) The purpose of the NFB is two-fold - to help blind persons achieve self-confidence and self-respect and to act as a vehicle for collective self-expression [ top ] Persons Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) Northern VA Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC ) Deaf-REACH [ top ] Senior Employment Resources Senior Employment Resources (SER) is a private, nonprofit organization offering services for people 50+ living in the Washington Metropolitan area. A $20.00 Senior Citizens Employment & Services of Alexandria Inc. Senior Citizens Employment and Services of Alexandria, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to aid older Alexandrians in maintaining their [ top ] Persons Who Have Multiple Sclerosis National Capital Chapter of the MS Society This National Capital Chapter of the MS Society chapter offers an initiative called Operation Job Match (OJM website: www.msandyou.org/ojm). OJM provides employment services to area residents who have adult onset disability including counseling, guidance and educational groups. [ top ] Persons Who Have A Psychiatric Disability Laurie Mitchell Employment Center The mission of the Laurie Mitchell Employment Center is to aid mental health consumers in their pursuits for meaningful employment. Clarendon House One of the main goals of Clarendon House is to find employment for its members. The Clarendon House staff works to seek out employment opportunities for consumers with serious mental illness. [ top ] Epilepsy Foundation The Epilepsy Foundation (also known as the Epilepsy Foundation of America) is the national organization that works for people affected by seizures through [ top ] Q10) What is sheltered employment? A) The US Department of Labor defines it as a way to "facilitate[s] competitive work in integrated work settings for individuals with the most severe disabilities Organizations may provide a number of services ranging from sheltered employment on the premises to employment that is supported at various levels in community settings. Sheltered employment is usually based at a facility or training center serving persons with "severe" disabilities. As opposed to "sheltered" settings, supported employment is a program concept designed to assist persons with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment in the community. There are several types of supported employment strategies including individual job placement, enclave employment or mobile work crew. Individual job placement includes on-site, personalized training and intermittent follow up support from a job coach. If necessary, job coaching can generally be extended for substantial periods depending on the funding source. Enclave employment is comprised of a small group of persons who are trained together to work at a specific area of an employment site; for example, a mailroom of a manufacturing company. Mobile work crews function as small businesses offering contracted labor such as janitorial or landscaping services. [ top ] Q11) What are some sheltered employment programs in northern Virginia? A) The following list contains most, but not necessarily all, supported employment resources in northern Virginia. Central Fairfax Services (CFS) CFS provides supported employment including mailing, packaging, sorting, embossing, and other work for adults with developmental disabilities. Work is performed at CFS or at work sites in the community. CFS community based workers provide housekeeping, lawn care, janitorial, and distribution services. Employees receive wages based on rates established under United States Department of Labor Standards. In addition to employment opportunities, CFS offers consumers behavioral, physical, and vocational skills. Didlake, Inc. Didlake, Inc. offers training, therapies and rehabilitative services that support the efforts of people with disabilities to acquire the skills they need to live and work as independently as possible. Plus, we create opportunities for employment through small businesses and contracted services that deliver high quality products for a competitive price. ServiceSource (formerly Fairfax Opportunities Unlimited) Offers an array of employment services designed to assist persons with varying degrees of support-needs achieve success in their quest for meaningful Icon Community Services, Inc. ICON Employment Services, a program of ICON Community Services, Inc., is dedicated to the development of employment opportunities for people with disabilities who have traditionally been excluded from the workforce. ICON serves individuals who have a wide range of skills and abilities. They have helped people find jobs in many areas, including clerical, janitorial, groundskeeping, food preparation, retailing, trades and professional fields. Job Discovery, Inc. (JDI) Job Discovery Inc. (JDI) is a non-profit, tax exempt, human services organization that was created to provide quality and reliable services to adults with Kennedy Institute The Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute's mission is to lead through innovation so people with disabilities live with freedom, dignity, and distinction. Primary Fairfax Co. Mental Retardation Services The Cooperative Employment Program provides supported competitive employment services to eligible consumers with developmental disabilities. SkillSource SkillSource is a product of the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board (NWIB) that provides quality workforce development services. Mount Vernon-Lee Enterprises (MVLE) The goal of MVLE is to provide employment and support services for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Northern Virginia area. St. John's Community Services St. John's Community Services assists individuals with developmental and other disabilities with securing employment in their chosen career fields. Services Virginia Office Sheltered Occupational Enterprises (SOC) SOC provides employment and rehabilitation services to assist, empower and support individuals with disabilities to achieve employment, independence and [ top ] Q12) How can I apply for a job with the government? A) There are many types of governments (federal, state and local) and many types of jobs available. The following are resources you can use to apply for employment in a government agency or department: Office of Personnel Management, USAJobs USAJobs is the official job site of the United States federal government. Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) VEC provides job placement assistance and unemployment compensation to those who qualify. Alexandria Office Fairfax Office City of Alexandria Arlington County Fairfax County Government All applications must be submitted through the Applicant Information Management System (AIMS). Loudoun County [ top ] 13) What are some websites that I can use to look for employment? A) Listed below are a few.
[ top ] 14) What organizations can I contact if I have a discrimination or advocacy complaint? A) State and federal governments have offices dedicated to serving people with complaints. For northern Virginia they are: Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) VOPA is the state protection and advocacy agency for persons with disabilities in Virginia and it operates the Client Assistance Program (CAP) which is ADA Information Center for the Mid-Atlantic Region Since its inception in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has protected persons with disabilities from discrimination in employment, transportation, public accommodations, state and local government services, and telecommunications. Like other civil rights laws, the ADA is complaint-based. While many employers and businesses voluntarily comply with the requirements of the ADA, if you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of your disability, its up to you to take action. To receive information or technical assistance regarding your employment rights and reasonable accommodations under the ADA, you may contact the ADA Information Center and ask to speak to a technical assistance specialist. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Information specifically for people with disabilities can be found at You may also contact any of the organizations listed under Q&A section 9 referencing specific disabilities. EXCEL! Networking Group, Inc. EXCEL! is a social networking group for people with disabilities focusing on professional opportunities. The group meets monthly in Arlington, Virginia. Also contact the organizations listed in Q&A section 9 for more professional organizations associated with disability. [ top ] |
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