Employment

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Individuals with disabilities are employable. NC’s Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD), formerly known as Voc Rehab, is an important partner in the process of helping youth with career exploration, employment readiness skills, and job placement.

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Acronym Key: IEP = Individualized Education Program | Pre ETS = Pre Employment Transition Services | EIPD = Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities

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Browse all recommended action items, or you have the option to use these filters to narrow down items based on age and category.

What type of help are you looking for?

What is the age range of the person needing help?

Array

Consider summer employment or volunteer experience.
Who can help: Individual and family
Approximate age: High school

Resources:

VolunteerMatch VolunteerMatch:
https://www.volunteermatch.org/search?l=North%20Carolina,%20USA

NC Careers NC Careers:
https://nccareers.org/

Volunteering isnt unpaid work Volunteering isnt unpaid work:
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/volunteering-isnt-unpaid-work/

Apply for jobs. Check out Work Together NC's Alliance of IDD Inclusive Employers!
Who can help: Individual/Family, Pre-Employment Transition Services Programs, EIPD
Approximate age: High school

Resources:

Employer alliance Employer alliance :
https://worktogethernc.com/employer-training/

Match career interests/skills with vocational course work as well as school and community-based work experiences (called "work-based learning").
Who can help: Individual, School transition facilitator/IEP Team
Approximate age: High school

Resources:

Internships, apprenticeships, and other work based learning Internships, apprenticeships, and other work based learning :
https://nccareers.org/internships-apprenticeships-other-work-based-learning

Begin a resume and update it as needed.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Starting at age 16 & ongoing

Resources:

Resume resources Resume resources :
https://worktogethernc.com/resources/?_keyword_search=resume

Participate in mock interviews and job fairs.
Who can help: Individual, Pre-Employment Transition Services Programs, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing

Resources:

Job fair calendar Job fair calendar :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/nc-works-job-fair-calendar/

Disability Solutions: Job-seeker Events Work Together NC Disability Solutions: Job-seeker Events Work Together NC :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/disability-solutions-partner-jobseeker-events

Set short and long term employment goals based on student's strengths and interests.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing

Resources:

Setting and pursuing goals Setting and pursuing goals :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/setting-and-pursuing-self-determined-goals/

Determine eligibility for SSI, and apply, if desired. Learn about asset limits (the impact of work income on benefits). See the adult services action plan for more details.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD or other benefits counseling agency (i.e., Service Source)
Approximate age: Start the application at 17.5

Resources:

Supplemental security income Supplemental security income :
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi

Adult Services Action Plan Adult Services Action Plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/how-can-i-make-sure-the-transition-to-adulthood-goes-smoothly/how-can-i-make-sure-the-transition-to-adulthood-goes-smoothly-adult-services-action-plan/

Explore Work Together NC's employment service library and contact service agencies of interest.
Who can help: Individual, family, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Starting at age 16 & ongoing

Resources:

Employment services Employment services :
https://worktogethernc.com/services/?_services_type=employment-services

Request meeting with an EIPD Counselor, including inviting them to IEP meetings.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Age 16

Resources:

NC EIPD NC EIPD :
https://worktogethernc.com/service/984/

Seek out an evaluation for services by NC EIPD *Note: Evaluation for EIPD adult services could risk in school EIPD services if student is deemed ineligible for "competitive integrated employment".
Who can help: Individual and family
Approximate age: Age 16

Resources:

Local EIPD offices Local EIPD offices :
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/eipd/local-office-listing

Explore transportation options for getting to work.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, and Family
Approximate age: Age 15

Resources:

Transportation resources Transportation resources :
https://worktogethernc.com/resources/?_keyword_search=transportation

Transportation Action Plan Transportation Action Plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/how-can-i-make-sure-the-transition-to-adulthood-goes-smoothly/how-can-i-make-sure-the-transition-to-adulthood-goes-smoothly-transportation-action-plan/

Set up a meeting with a benefits counselor.
Who can help: Individual and family, Community Agency (i.e., EIPD, Service Source)
Approximate age: Benefits counseling services are available starting at age 14

Resources:

ServiceSource Benefits Counseling Services ServiceSource Benefits Counseling Services :
https://www.servicesource.org/north-carolina-benefits-counseling-services/

Benefits counseling to promote employment Benefits counseling to promote employment :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/benefits-counseling-a-tool-to-promote-employment/

Learn about social security programs such as the Ticket to Work and Benefits Counseling and policies such as Work Incentives (i.e., Student Earned Income Exclusion).
Who can help: Individual and family, EIPD
Approximate age: Benefits counseling services are available starting at age 14

Resources:

Work incentives Work incentives :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/work-incentives/

Student earned income exclusion Student earned income exclusion :
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-student-earned-income.htm

Explore Pre Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) Programs offered locally.
Who can help: Individual, family, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Age 14-21

Resources:

Pre-Employment Transition Services FAQ Pre-Employment Transition Services FAQ :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/pre-employment-transition-services-faq-2/

Complete Work Together NCs Employment Toolkit, which covers a variety of important work readiness tasks.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD, Adult Service providers
Approximate age: Starting at age 14 and ongoing

Resources:

Work Together NCs Employment Toolkit Work Together NCs Employment Toolkit :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/an-employment-toolkit-for-people-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities/

Consider job shadowing or informational interviewing.
Who can help: Pre-Employment Transition Services Programs
Approximate age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing

Resources:

Dos and donts of job shadowing Dos and donts of job shadowing :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/21-dos-and-donts-of-job-shadowing-plus-its-importance/

Pre-ETS FAQ Pre-ETS FAQ :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/pre-employment-transition-services-faq-2/

Informational interviewing Informational interviewing :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/informational-interviewing/

Explore apprenticeship and/or internship options.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing

Resources:

Apprenticeship NC Apprenticeship NC :
https://www.apprenticeshipnc.com/

Project SEARCH Project SEARCH :
https://nccdd.org/project-search.html

Explore assistive technology & communication tools that can increase employment opportunities.
Who can help: Individual, family, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing

Resources:

Assistive technology resources Assistive technology resources :
https://worktogethernc.com/resources/?_keyword_search=assistive%20technology

Learn about different types of work and determine the best fit: self employment, customized employment, or traditional employment.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Starting in middle school and ongoing

Resources:

What is customized employment? What is customized employment? :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/what-is-customized-employment/

Video about customized employment Video about customized employment :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHjfkO8cWQ

A guide to self employment A guide to self employment :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/a-guide-to-self-employment-for-people-with-disabilities/

Identify career interests and skills, complete interest and career inventories, and identify education or training requirements for careers.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: Starting in middle school and ongoing

Resources:

NC Careers NC Careers :
https://nccareers.org/

Review how course of study pathways can support the students employment options (i.e., certificate versus, occupational course of study and future ready diploma pathway).
Who can help: School Personnel/IEP Team
Approximate age: 13 (Middle School) and ongoing

Resources:

HS graduation requirements HS graduation requirements :
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/high-school-graduation-requirements#Future-ReadyCourseofStudy22creditsStudentsenteringGrade9in2021-2022-1951

Begin exploration of personal learning styles and necessary accommodations/supports to be successful in a work setting.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Job Accommodation Network Job Accommodation Network :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/job-accommodation-network-jan/

Learn about workplace rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act . Refer to the Self Advocacy action plan to further develop self advocacy skills.
Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD
Approximate age: Start at 14 and ongoing

Resources:

Self Determination/Self Advocacy Action Plan Self Determination/Self Advocacy Action Plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/making-choices-is-hard/self-determination-self-advocacy-action-plan/

Learn about my rights Learn about my rights :
https://worktogethernc.com/resources-for-all/self-advocates/learn-about-my-rights/

Consider higher education options (i.e., community college, University, trade school, certificate programs).
Who can help: Individual, family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: Start at 14 and ongoing (i.e., community college, University, trade school, adult basic education programs)

Resources:

Whats Next: College!? Guide Whats Next: College!? Guide :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/whats-next-college-a-guided-exploration-of-nc-inclusive-postsecondary-options-for-students-with-disabilities/

NC postsecondary opportunities NC postsecondary opportunities :
https://worktogethernc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-23-PSE-Opportunities.pdf

Postsecondary Education Action Plan Postsecondary Education Action Plan :
https://worktogethernc.com/action-plans/what-opportunities-are-available-after-high-school/what-opportunities-are-available-after-high-school-postsecondary-education/

Consider taking community based classes to expand hard and soft skills and explore interests (i.e., Adult Basic Ed programs at community colleges, programs at Parks & Rec or local library, toastmasters, webinars).
Who can help: Individual, family
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Soft skills curriculum Soft skills curriculum :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/soft-skills-to-pay-the-bills-mastering-soft-skills-for-workplace-success/

Apprenticeships NC Apprenticeships NC :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/apprenticeship-nc/

Adult basic education Adult basic education :
https://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/Types/adult-basic-education.aspx

Review work readiness skill checklists and target skills in need of further development.
Who can help: Individual, family, School/IEP Team
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Work ready checklist Work ready checklist :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/workplace-essential-skills-work-ready-checklist/

Workplace soft skills checklist Workplace soft skills checklist :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/workplace-soft-skills-checklist/

Take on more chores at home.
Who can help: Individual, family
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

How to create a chore chart How to create a chore chart :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/11695/

List of age appropriate chores List of age appropriate chores :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/the-ultimate-list-of-age-appropriate-chores/

Learn to use time management strategies at home and in school (i.e., checklists, calendar, planner).
Who can help: Individual, Family
Approximate age: As early as possible & ongoing

Resources:

Time management supports Time management supports :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/time-management-supports/

Time management tips Time management tips :
https://worktogethernc.com/resource/time-management-tips/

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