Disability Resources For Job Seekers

• Assistive Technology
• Educational
• Employment Assistance
• Federal Resources
• Mental Health
• State Resources
• Workplace Accommodations
• Youth Programs

Assistive Technology

• New England Assistive Technology Center at Oak Hill - the NEAT Center at Oak Hill brings people with temporary or permanent disabilities, seniors, families and professionals together with equipment, services and training to enhance independence at school, work or home.

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Educational

• Accommodation and Compliance Series: The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - On January 1, 2009, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 went into effect, making some major changes to the way the definition of disability has been interpreted in the past. This link explains the impact of the ADA Amendments Act that went into effect.

• Employment Laws: Disability & Discrimination - information on five important federal laws that protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in employment and the job application process.
• Employment Laws: Medical and Disability-Related Leave - when employees are injured or disabled or become ill on the job, they may be entitled to medical and/or disability-related leave under two federal laws: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In addition, state Workers' Compensation laws have leave provisions that may apply. Depending on the situation, one or more of these laws can apply to the same employee. To help employers understand their responsibilities related to medical and disability-related leave, this web site provides an overview of each law, including information about where the laws intersect and overlap.

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Employment Assistance

• Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN) 1-866-327-6669 - EARN is a free service that connects employers looking for quality employees with skilled job candidates.   This web site is a one stop source for disability employment information including: recruiting services, tools and resources, employer success stories and business case for hiring people with disabilities.
• Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)  1-202-693-7880 - WRP helps employers identify qualified college students with disabilities for summer work experience and in some cases full-time employment. Offers employers a database of pre-screened college graduates seeking temporary or permanent jobs. Employers may search the database by state or job category.

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Federal Resources

• Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board - The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology.

• New England ADA & Accessible IT Center/Boston, MA (617) 695-0085 - one of ten regional ADA & IT Technical Assistance Centers that provide ADA information, training and technical assistance to businesses.

• U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ADA Home Page - the ADA Home Page includes many excellent resources for employers. The “ADA Business Connection” section of this site includes business briefs ad tax incentive information.

• USDOL Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) 1-866-633-7365 - Employer Policy Team examines the issues facing employers as they seek to hire, accommodate and advance employees with disabilities. This team works to shape disability employment policies that meet the needs of employers and people with disabilities. Disseminates effective employer practices and articulates the unique perspectives of businesses regarding the employment of people with disabilities.

• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 1-800-669-4000 - the EEOC enforces the ADA’s employment provisions. The section of its Web site titled “Disability Discrimination” provides access to numerous publications, including several specifically designed to answer employer questions and concerns.

• Health and Human Services Office on Disability (OD)  Oversees the implementation and coordination of disability programs, policies and special initiatives pertaining to the over 54 million persons with disabilities in the United States.

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Mental Health

• Chrysalis Center Inc.  (860) 525-1261 - provides employment services to adults with psychiatric disabilities. The teams focus on finding employment that best matches the skills and interests of each worker; and a large pool of workers is available to meet a variety of staffing needs.

• Entering the World of Work: What Youth with Mental Health Needs Should Know About Accommodations - this is a fact sheet on disclosure and accommodations for youth with mental health needs entering the workforce.
   

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State Resources

• Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (860) 602-4000 - responsible for initiating, coordinating and implementing the education and training of Connecticut’s blind and visually impaired residents. BESB serves Connecticut’s blind adults through ongoing educational, vocational and living skills programs in order to empower them to achieve employment success in their chosen profession and to enhance their self-sufficiency.

• Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) 1-800-537-2549 - BRS offers vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to persons with physical and/or mental disabilities to enhance their employability and self-sufficiency. Assists employers in making job site accommodations. Staff can refer employers to rehabilitation engineers, job accommodation specialist and other employment consultation services.

• Department of Labor - American Job Center 1-888-CT WORKS - the Department of Labor assists people seeking jobs through a statewide network of employment assistance centers.

• Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services - web site of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Promotes and administers comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut.

• The Connecticut Tech Act Project (CTTAP) 860-424-4881 operates out of the State of Connecticut, Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). Our goal is to help individuals with disabilities of all ages and all disabilities, as well as family members, employers, educators and other professionals have access to Assistive Technology devices and services.

• Connecticut 2-1-1 is your one-stop connection to the local services you need, from utility assistance, food, housing, child care, after school programs, elder care, crisis intervention and much more. 2-1-1 is always ready to assist you find the help you need. Dial 2-1-1 or search online. If you are outside of Connecticut or have a problem using the 2-1-1-number, dial 1-800-203-1234.

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Workplace Accommodations

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN) 1-800-526-7234 - a free, consulting service from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that provides individualized accommodations solutions and technical assistance on the ADA. Among the areas that JAN can address are:

  • Accommodation options and low-cost solutions 
  • Hiring, retaining and promoting qualified employees with disabilities 
  • Employer responsibilities under the ADA 
  • Reducing workers’ compensation and other insurance costs
  • Addressing accessibility issues

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Youth Programs

• Youth Leadership Project - The Youth Leadership Forum is a program that empowers youth with disabilities to realize their leadership potential.

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