Employment for People with Developmental Disabilities

Nissa's Story

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Ebony's Story

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Chad's Story

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Uptown Dream's Story

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Why Should You Get a Job?

  • Improved quality of life
  • New relationships and friends
  • Earning your own income
  • Enhanced self-confidence
  • Expanded social network
  • Sense of community

How Do You Get Started?

Think about what kinds of activities or things you enjoy and how that might lead to a job. For example, do you like pets? Do you like clothes? Do you like cleaning things? You might like a job washing dogs, in a retail store selling clothes, or working in a cleaning capacity for a company. For more help, contact your SSA and express an interest in getting a job. We will help you explore community jobs, connect with peers who are employed, plan for a career that meets your interests and skills, understand the impact of income on benefits, and the many rewards of working in the community.

Programs that May Assist You

Employment First

Employment First is a State initiative that provides professional development tools to state and county agencies and service providers to help people with DD get jobs. If you are an adult with a developmental disability and you would like to work, we are excited to help you along this path!  We can provide job training and coaching to help you learn the skills you need in order to find meaningful employment.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

OOD provides you with services and support to help you attain and maintain employment. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services are customized for each individual through assessments and one-on-one meetings with professional counselors. You are eligible for VR services if they are deemed essential in order for you to obtain and retain employment. Your SSA will help you with eligibility for this program. VR services include:

  • Vocational counseling and training;
  • Job search and job placement assistance;
  • Educational guidance (tuition resources and other support);
  • Transportation services;
  • Occupational tools and equipment; and more
Project SEARCH

The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a unique, business-led, one-year, school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. The program provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills to help youth make successful transitions from school to productive adult life. Typically, these are students who are on an Individual Education Program (IEP) and in their last year of high school eligibility. The most important criterion for acceptance into Project SEARCH is a desire to achieve community employment. To apply to participate in Project SEARCH, please contact your SSA.

Quest Discovery

Quest Discovery provides pre-vocational services designed to teach valuable skills that will help individuals progress towards the goal of a job in the community. Prevocational services provide learning and work experiences so an individual can develop general strengths and skills which will help them gain community employment, supported work at community-based sites, or self-employment. These time-limited services are provided in accordance with the individual’s person-centered plan.

Derek Loves His Job!

Curtis is Living His Dream

Chris is Very Successful

Working at Yamada

Jordan K. - Entrepreneur