Employment

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

As part of its mission to help people with disabilities live and work independently, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission provides the following employment services:

• Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

For high school students between 14-22, Pre-ETS provides career counseling, job readiness preparation, work opportunities, and self-advocacy training.

• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Like Pre-ETS, VR provides career counseling and other employment related services. However, there is no age 22 cutoff and VR also serves those who would like to return to work.

Vocational Rehabilitation Office Locator

Work without Limits

Work without Limits is a network of public and private institutions dedicated to increasing the number of people with disabilities in the labor force. Activities include training and consulting, resource sharing, benefits counseling, and job matching.

US Department of Labor

Disability Resources

Provides information about employee rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as links to job banks and career counseling services including assistance in starting a small business.

Autism Resources

A compendium of links to information on recruitment, hiring, and retention for employers; career counseling suggestions for service providers; labor statistics and reports for policy makers; and employment development  materials for people on the autism spectrum.  

Autism Society of America

General Information

Describes different types of employment; links to articles with examples and advice

Public Policy

Information about recent legislative activity, transitioning to competitive employment, and working without losing benefits.

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks Employment Page

Provides an Employment Toolkit and the websites of Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies across the country. Links to articles about employment as well as two special sections; one for job seekers, the other for employers.

Autistic Self-Advocacy Network

“Real Work for Real Pay” Toolkit

A primer on Employment First explaining such concepts as minimum wage, sheltered workshops, and 14c certificates.

Autism NOW National and Information Resource Center

A collection of employment related information and resources compiled in collaboration with the ARC of the United States. Covers a wide range of topics including career development, vocational rehabilitation, and job searching.

Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston

Think Work!

Provides information about a number of research projects as well as inter-agency and inter-state initiatives designed to improve the employment prospects of people with disabilities. There are reports documenting trends and statistics; best practices and personal stories are also featured.