Supported Employment and Vocational Rehabilitation
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.
Where Are You?
Section titled “Where Are You?”Jump to your country or region:
Understanding Employment Supports
Section titled “Understanding Employment Supports”Types of Employment Support
Section titled “Types of Employment Support”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.
The Goal: Competitive Integrated Employment
Section titled “The Goal: Competitive Integrated Employment”Disability rights advocates emphasize “competitive integrated employment”:
- Competitive: Paid at least minimum wage, comparable to non-disabled workers
- Integrated: Working alongside non-disabled people, not in segregated settings
- Community-based: In the community, not in facilities for disabled people only
This contrasts with sheltered workshops, which often pay below minimum wage and segregate disabled workers.
United States
Section titled “United States”Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Section titled “Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)”Every state has a Vocational Rehabilitation agency providing employment services to disabled people.
Eligibility:
- Must have a physical or mental disability
- Disability must be a barrier to employment
- Must require VR services to prepare for, find, or keep a job
- Must be able to benefit from VR services in terms of employment
Services VR Can Provide:
- Career counseling and guidance
- Vocational assessment
- Job training and education
- Job search and placement
- Assistive technology
- Transportation assistance
- Supported employment services
- Self-employment support
- On-the-job training
- College or training program support
How It Works:
- Apply at your state VR agency
- Eligibility determination (60 days)
- Comprehensive assessment of needs
- Develop Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) with your counselor
- Receive services
- Job placement and follow-up
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
Section titled “Supported Employment”Supported employment provides ongoing support for people who need more than time-limited VR services.
The Model:
- Place first, then train (not “train, then place”)
- Real jobs in the community
- Ongoing support as long as needed
- Job coaching, natural supports, technology
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.
AbilityOne Program
Section titled “AbilityOne Program”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.
Subminimum Wage (Section 14(c))
Section titled “Subminimum Wage (Section 14(c))”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:
- Often used in sheltered workshops
- Workers paid pennies per hour
- Disabled people deserve minimum wage
- Many states have banned subminimum wage
- Advocacy is moving toward elimination
Ticket to Work
Section titled “Ticket to Work”Social Security program for SSDI and SSI recipients:
- Free employment support services
- Protections while you try to work
- Can use VR or approved Employment Networks (ENs)
- Trial work periods while keeping benefits
For SSI recipients: Also look into PASS plans, which let you set aside money for work goals.
Who’s Organizing
Section titled “Who’s Organizing”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.
Canada
Section titled “Canada”Provincial Programs
Section titled “Provincial Programs”Employment services are provincially administered, so programs vary.
General Framework
Section titled “General Framework”Most provinces offer:
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Employment supports for people with disabilities
- Supported employment programs (varies)
- Assistance through disability benefits programs
Provincial Highlights
Section titled “Provincial Highlights”Ontario:
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) includes employment supports
- Employment Ontario provides services to all job seekers including disabled people
- Community-based supported employment providers
British Columbia:
- Community Living BC funds employment services for people with developmental disabilities
- WorkBC provides general employment services with disability specialization
Alberta:
- Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) employment services
- Alberta Supports for disability-related employment services
Who’s Organizing
Section titled “Who’s Organizing”Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) promotes supported employment.
Ready, Willing, and Able: National initiative for employment of people with intellectual disabilities and autism.
United Kingdom
Section titled “United Kingdom”Disability Employment Services
Section titled “Disability Employment Services”Access to Work: Key program funding workplace adjustments and support:
- Communication support at interviews and work
- Support workers
- Travel costs
- Adaptations and equipment
- Mental health 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
Section titled “Supported Employment”Supported employment model used in UK:
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for mental health
- Job coaching through various providers
- Local authority and charity-funded services
Fit Note and Employment
Section titled “Fit Note and Employment”“Fit notes” from doctors can recommend workplace adjustments. Employers should consider these.
Who’s Organizing
Section titled “Who’s Organizing”Disability Rights UK provides employment information.
BASE (British Association for Supported Employment) promotes supported employment.
Shaw Trust and other providers deliver supported employment services.
Australia
Section titled “Australia”Disability Employment Services (DES)
Section titled “Disability Employment Services (DES)”Government-funded program providing:
- Job preparation and search
- Resume and interview help
- Workplace modifications
- Ongoing support after placement
- Access to other supports
Two streams:
- DES-DMS (Disability Management Service): For people who need limited support
- DES-ESS (Employment Support Service): For people who need more intensive support
How to access: Through Centrelink or NDIS
NDIS and Employment
Section titled “NDIS and Employment”NDIS can fund:
- Supports to build employment skills
- Supports to look for work
- School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
- Support coordination related to employment
Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs): Sheltered employment—controversial for same reasons as US sheltered workshops.
Who’s Organizing
Section titled “Who’s Organizing”People with Disability Australia (PWDA) advocates for employment rights.
National Disability Services represents service providers.
Other Countries
Section titled “Other Countries”International Framework
Section titled “International Framework”ILO (International Labour Organization) standards promote:
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Supported employment
- Inclusive labor markets
Many countries have some vocational rehabilitation services, though quality and availability vary dramatically.
Global South
Section titled “Global South”In many countries:
- Formal employment support programs are limited or non-existent
- Informal economy is dominant
- Family enterprises and self-employment may be primary options
- NGOs may provide limited services
- Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programs may include employment components
Finding Support
Section titled “Finding Support”- Contact disability organizations in your country
- Research government programs for disabled workers
- Look into ILO and NGO programs in your region
- Connect with peer networks for informal support and job leads
Making VR and Employment Services Work
Section titled “Making VR and Employment Services Work”Tips for Working with VR
Section titled “Tips for Working with VR”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.
Common VR Challenges
Section titled “Common VR Challenges”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: A Disability Justice Perspective
Section titled “Sheltered Workshops: A Disability Justice Perspective”What They Are
Section titled “What They Are”Sheltered workshops (sometimes called “day programs” or “work centers”) are segregated facilities where disabled people work, often for below minimum wage.
Why They’re Controversial
Section titled “Why They’re Controversial”Disabled people and advocates have raised serious concerns:
- Subminimum wage: Workers may earn pennies per hour
- Segregation: Working only with other disabled people, not integrated into community
- Limited advancement: People stay in workshops for years or decades
- Paternalism: Assumes disabled people can’t work “real jobs”
- Exploitation: Workers produce valuable work for little or no pay
The Employment First Movement
Section titled “The Employment First Movement”“Employment First” policies prioritize competitive integrated employment:
- Real jobs, real wages
- Same workplaces as non-disabled people
- Support as needed to succeed
Many states have adopted Employment First policies, though implementation varies.
What Disabled People Say
Section titled “What Disabled People Say”- “I deserve minimum wage like everyone else”
- “I want to work in my community, not in a separate place”
- “Sheltered workshops kept me from knowing what I could do”
- “I finally got a real job and it changed my life”
Where Things Stand
Section titled “Where Things Stand”- Several states have ended subminimum wage
- Federal legislation has been proposed to phase out Section 14(c)
- Many workshops are transitioning to community employment
- Controversy continues as some families express fear about losing “safe” placements
Intersectionality
Section titled “Intersectionality”Disabled People of Color
Section titled “Disabled People of Color”Face:
- Racism in hiring on top of ableism
- Less access to quality VR services
- Steering toward lower-wage jobs
- Higher unemployment rates than white disabled people
Disabled Women
Section titled “Disabled Women”Experience:
- Gender gap in employment support
- Steering toward “women’s jobs”
- Less likely to receive job training
- Childcare barriers to employment
LGBTQ+ Disabled People
Section titled “LGBTQ+ Disabled People”May face:
- Discrimination on multiple grounds
- Need for affirming service providers
- Additional barriers in conservative regions
Rural Disabled People
Section titled “Rural Disabled People”Challenges:
- Fewer employment opportunities
- Limited VR services and providers
- Transportation barriers
- Fewer supported employment options
People with Significant Disabilities
Section titled “People with Significant Disabilities”May experience:
- Assumption they “can’t work”
- Steering toward segregated settings
- Need for more intensive supports
- Fewer opportunities offered
Scenarios: Finding What You Need
Section titled “Scenarios: Finding What You Need””VR says I’m not eligible”
Section titled “”VR says I’m not eligible””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 closed my case but I don’t have a job”
Section titled “”VR closed my case but I don’t have a job””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.
”My VR counselor keeps pushing me toward jobs I don’t want”
Section titled “”My VR counselor keeps pushing me toward jobs I don’t want””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.
”I’m in a sheltered workshop and want a community job”
Section titled “”I’m in a sheltered workshop and want a community job””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.
”I want to work but I’m worried about losing benefits”
Section titled “”I want to work but I’m worried about losing benefits””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.
Resources
Section titled “Resources”Global
Section titled “Global”- ILO Disability: ilo.org
- GLADNET (Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network)
United States
Section titled “United States”- RSA State VR Agencies: Find your state’s VR program
- APSE: apse.org (Employment First)
- Job Accommodation Network: askjan.org
- Ticket to Work: choosework.ssa.gov
Canada
Section titled “Canada”- Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE): supportedemployment.ca
- Ready, Willing, and Able: readywillingable.ca
United Kingdom
Section titled “United Kingdom”- Access to Work: gov.uk/access-to-work
- BASE: base-uk.org
Australia
Section titled “Australia”- JobAccess: jobaccess.gov.au
- Disability Employment Services: dss.gov.au
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”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:
- First-hand experiences with employment services
- Tips for getting good VR services
- Stories of transitioning to competitive employment
- Country-specific information
This page centers disabled workers’ expertise. Competitive integrated employment is a right, not a privilege—disabled people deserve real jobs at real wages.