Job assistance guide for people with disabilities

According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people worldwide experience some type of disability. Nearly everyone will experience a temporary or permanent disability sometime in their lifetime, WHO says. In the United States, one in four people — about 26% of the adult population — experience some form of a disability, says the Centers for Disease Control. 

People with disabilities want to be gainfully employed as much as anyone else. People over the age of 65 constitute about half of all persons with a disability in the United States, according to a 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Yet, throughout all age groups, those living with a disability are less likely to be employed, especially full-time, compared to their non-disability counterparts, the BLS study notes. 

Use this compilation of resources to find organizations that offer job help for people with disabilities and  locate training programs and related support services.

Employment resources for high school and young adults

School guidance counselors or disability student service coordinators can help with career and training opportunities. Below are other resources to help you get started:

PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment™

PACER provides resources for youths, families, and professionals to help youth transition to finding employment, understand disability disclosure on the job, and obtain postsecondary education resources, among others. 

Website: pacer.org/transition/

Job Corps

Job Corps assists people ages 16 through 24 in completing their high school education and offers skills and training/education opportunities and job-seeking assistance. It also provides transitional support services, including housing, child care, and transportation.

Website: Job Corps

YouthBuild

YouthBuild offers over 200 programs across the United States that help low-income people ages 16 to 24, including those with disabilities, obtain their high school diplomas.

Website: youthbuild.org/about-us/

Employment-related resources for anyone with a disability

U.S. Department of Labor, state labor offices

• Lists contact information for each state’s labor office.
• Provides access to information on Materials for Workers With Disabilities Paid Subminimum Wages under Section 14(c), Their Families, and Guardians. 
• Offers guidance and general information about the employment of workers with disabilities paid at subminimum wages. 
• Provides other resources for workers with disabilities, their families and guardians.

Website: dol.gov/

U.S. AbilityOne commission

Provides employment resources. The agency employs about 40,000 people with significant disabilities or who are blind. Resources include:

• National Industries for job seekers who are blind or visually impaired CareersWithVision®. 
• SourceAmerica’s Employment Resources for People with Disabilities.
• AbilityOne Commission Employment Opportunities Map and List.

Website: abilityone.gov/index.html

The Campaign for Disability Employment

CDE is a collaborative effort with multiple disability and business organizations to showcase supportive, inclusive workplaces for every worker. Provides multiple resources for job seekers and employees, including job training programs, resume writing, and job interview preparation.

Website: whatcanyoudocampaign.org

AbilityJobs

AbilityJobs is the largest job site for people with disabilities. It helps businesses, governments, and nonprofits connect with job seekers. Job posters commit to hiring job seekers with disabilities and U.S. veterans with disabilities.

Website: abilityjobs.com/

Job training and other programs

GetMyFuture: Careeronestop

GetMyFuture offers job training and employment-related resources for young people and adult basic education location services. 

Website: GetMyFuture/default.aspx

Center for Parent Information and Resources

CPIR offers information and products designed for the network of Parent Centers that serve families of children with disabilities. 

Website: parentcenterhub.org

Ticket to Work

The Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program helps provide access to employment support services for Social Security disability beneficiaries who want to work. 

Programs offer work incentives for those who qualify, including cash benefits, continued Medicare or Medicaid for a set amount of time, and educational, vocational, and training to start a new type of work.

Website: choosework.ssa.gov/ 

Explore your options

Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University can help you find your path.