Disabled people have the right to work with the supports they need. Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment programs exist to help disabled people find, get, and keep jobs—though these systems can be difficult to navigate and vary significantly by location.
This page centers disabled people's expertise on using employment support services effectively.
Jump to your country or region:
Vocational rehabilitation (VR): Government-funded programs helping disabled people prepare for, find, and maintain employment.
Supported employment: Ongoing support to help disabled people work in competitive, integrated jobs in the community.
Customized employment: Jobs created or modified based on individual strengths and employer needs.
Sheltered workshops: Segregated work settings (controversial—see below).
Transition services: Employment preparation for young people leaving school.
Disability rights advocates emphasize "competitive integrated employment":
This contrasts with sheltered workshops, which often pay below minimum wage and segregate disabled workers.
Every state has a Vocational Rehabilitation agency providing employment services to disabled people.
Eligibility:
Services VR Can Provide:
How It Works:
Order of Selection: When VR agencies don't have enough funding, they may prioritize people with the most significant disabilities. Others may be placed on waiting lists.
Finding Your VR Agency: Search "[your state] vocational rehabilitation" or find it through the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
Supported employment provides ongoing support for people who need more than time-limited VR services.
The Model:
Through VR: VR agencies fund supported employment for up to 24 months, then long-term funding comes from other sources (Medicaid, developmental disabilities agencies).
Through Other Agencies: State intellectual/developmental disability agencies often fund long-term supported employment.
Customized Employment: A form of supported employment where jobs are negotiated based on individual strengths and employer needs—not existing job descriptions.
Federal program creating jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities through contracts with federal government. Controversial because some settings are considered sheltered workshops.
Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers can get certificates to pay disabled workers below minimum wage. This is heavily criticized:
Social Security program for SSDI and SSI recipients:
For SSI recipients: Also look into PASS plans, which let you set aside money for work goals.
APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First) promotes competitive integrated employment.
TASH advocates for employment for people with significant disabilities.
ADAPT has pushed for community integration including employment.
Self-advocacy organizations like SABE promote real jobs for real wages.
Employment services are provincially administered, so programs vary.
Most provinces offer:
Ontario:
British Columbia:
Alberta:
Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) promotes supported employment.
Ready, Willing, and Able: National initiative for employment of people with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Access to Work: Key program funding workplace adjustments and support:
Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs): Work through Jobcentre Plus to help disabled job seekers.
Work and Health Programme: Provides employment support (replaced the Work Programme).
Supported employment model used in UK:
"Fit notes" from doctors can recommend workplace adjustments. Employers should consider these.
Disability Rights UK provides employment information.
BASE (British Association for Supported Employment) promotes supported employment.
Shaw Trust and other providers deliver supported employment services.
Government-funded program providing:
Two streams:
How to access: Through Centrelink or NDIS
NDIS can fund:
Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs): Sheltered employment—controversial for same reasons as US sheltered workshops.
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) advocates for employment rights.
National Disability Services represents service providers.
ILO (International Labour Organization) standards promote:
Many countries have some vocational rehabilitation services, though quality and availability vary dramatically.
In many countries:
Be an active participant: The best outcomes happen when you're engaged in planning.
Know your goals: What do you want to do? VR works toward your goals, not theirs.
Understand the IPE: Your Individualized Plan for Employment is a contract. Read it, understand it, negotiate it.
Ask for what you need: Training, education, assistive technology, job placement support—know what's available and ask.
Get deadlines in writing: Services should be timely.
Request different counselor if needed: If you're not getting good service, you can request reassignment.
Appeal if needed: You have rights to appeal decisions you disagree with.
Counselor pushing wrong jobs: VR should work toward your goals. Push back if counselor ignores your interests.
Waiting lists: Order of selection can mean long waits. Explore other resources while waiting.
Limited services: Some VR agencies provide minimal services. Advocate for what you need or supplement with other resources.
Closure without employment: VR shouldn't close your case without successful employment. Know your rights.
Pressure to take any job: You don't have to accept jobs that don't match your goals or accommodate your disability.
Sheltered workshops (sometimes called "day programs" or "work centers") are segregated facilities where disabled people work, often for below minimum wage.
Disabled people and advocates have raised serious concerns:
"Employment First" policies prioritize competitive integrated employment:
Many states have adopted Employment First policies, though implementation varies.
Face:
Experience:
May face:
Challenges:
May experience:
You can appeal. Get the denial in writing. Provide additional documentation. Request reconsideration. Know that most people with disabilities who want to work should be eligible.
VR shouldn't close cases without successful employment unless you withdraw or don't participate. Ask about reopening your case. File an appeal if needed.
VR is supposed to help you reach your employment goals. Be clear about what you want. Put your goals in writing. Request a different counselor if necessary.
Talk to your case manager about community employment options. Contact supported employment providers. Look into VR services if you haven't. Connect with self-advocacy organizations.
Look into work incentive programs (Ticket to Work in US, equivalents elsewhere). Trial work periods let you try working while keeping benefits. PASS plans let you set aside earnings. Work incentive counselors can help you understand your situation.
Have you used VR or supported employment services? Worked in or transitioned from sheltered employment? Have tips for others?
Share your knowledge: Contribution Form
We especially welcome:
This page centers disabled workers' expertise. Competitive integrated employment is a right, not a privilege—disabled people deserve real jobs at real wages.
Last updated: November 2025