Employment Aid
Maine Resources
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) - Assists individuals with disabilities in preparing for, securing, retaining, and advancing in employment. DVR offers services such as career counseling, job training, assistive technology, and workplace accommodations. They provide monthly virtual orientations on the third Thursday of each month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., covering topics like eligibility, application processes, and available services. No pre-registration is required, and sessions include captioning and ASL interpretation.
Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - Provides comprehensive employment support for individuals with disabilities, aiming to help them prepare for, secure, and maintain meaningful employment. Recognizing that employment offers financial benefits, improved health, increased self-esteem, and greater community involvement, OADS offers services such as job readiness training, skill development, and assistance with job placement and retention. OADS collaborates with a network of providers across Maine to deliver these services. Individuals can access a directory of employment service providers by county, facilitating connections to local support.
EmploymentForME.org - Maine's comprehensive online resource dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in their employment journey. The site provides resources to assist individuals in preparing for, finding, and maintaining employment. This includes guidance on job accommodations, understanding employment rights under the ADA and Maine Human Rights Act, and information on how employment may affect benefits. Additionally, users can access Maine's Job Bank to search for job opportunities and connect with local CareerCenters for personalized support.
AccessMaine - Provides a variety of employment resources to support individuals with disabilities and other job seekers in Maine. Services include vocational rehabilitation for adults with disabilities, free job search and training support through Maine CareerCenters, and specialized programs for veterans and youth. Additionally, TANF-eligible parents can access employment assistance such as job training, education, and childcare support. These resources aim to help individuals prepare for, find, and maintain meaningful employment.
MaineHealth Vocational Services - Offers comprehensive employment support for individuals with disabilities across Maine. Services include benefits counseling to help understand how employment affects Social Security and other public benefits , participation in the Ticket to Work program for career development , and long-term employment support through job coaching and follow-up services . The Community Employment Services Project provides supported employment and education services statewide for individuals with mental illness . Additionally, MaineHealth offers employer services, including disability inclusion training and guidance on ADA compliance, to promote inclusive workplaces.
Benefits Counseling Services - Offers free, personalized assistance to Maine residents aged 14 and older who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and are considering or currently engaged in employment. Through Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs), individuals receive guidance on how employment impacts their benefits, including information on work incentives like Trial Work Periods, Extended Periods of Eligibility, and maintaining access to MaineCare or Medicare while working. These services aim to help individuals make informed decisions about employment without jeopardizing their benefits.
Regional Resources
Massachusetts
MassHire Career Centers - A network of over 25 locations across Massachusetts dedicated to providing comprehensive employment services to all jobseekers, including individuals with disabilities. These centers offer a range of services such as career counseling, résumé development, job search assistance, workshops, and placement support. For individuals with disabilities, MassHire Career Centers ensure both physical and programmatic accessibility. They provide assistive technologies and reasonable accommodations, which may need to be requested in advance. Additionally, the centers collaborate with partner agencies like the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), and Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) to offer specialized support.
Work Without Limits - Aims to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It provides services such as benefits counseling through the WIPA program, career support via the Ticket to Work Employment Network, and a job board connecting candidates to inclusive employers. The organization also offers training and consulting to promote workplace disability inclusion among employers and service providers.
Bridgewell Employment Support Services - Offers personalized vocational assistance to adults with intellectual, developmental, psychiatric, and physical disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum. Their programs focus on individualized career planning, job placement, and on-the-job coaching, aiming to help participants develop skills and confidence for independent employment. Services include résumé development, interview preparation, and support with applications, as well as behavioral support and transportation assistance. Additionally, Bridgewell provides Community-Based Day Supports (CBDS), offering opportunities for career exploration, volunteer work, and the development of soft skills such as money management and computer literacy.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation (NHVR) - Dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining meaningful employment. Services include career counseling, educational guidance, job training, job search assistance, and support in securing assistive technology. The program caters to both individuals entering the workforce for the first time and those seeking to continue working after acquiring a disability due to injury, illness, or aging. For youth transitioning from high school to employment, VR New Hampshire offers specialized programs like Project SEARCH, which provides immersive workplace experiences to build job skills and confidence.
Easterseals NH Workforce Development - Programs support teens and young adults with disabilities, as well as youth in or leaving foster care, by providing skill-building opportunities to prepare for employment and independent living. Key services include Youth Transitional Services (YTS), which assists high school students with disabilities in preparing for life after graduation through individualized education plans and support in employment, education, and daily living skills. The Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program, in partnership with New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation, offers students with disabilities access to work-based learning experiences. The All Youth Count (AYC) program provides one-on-one support to individuals aged 14 to 26 who are in or have aged out of foster care, helping them achieve independence and stability through supportive employment and vocational mentorship. Employers are encouraged to partner with Easterseals NH to create inclusive workplaces by offering volunteer, work-based learning, and paid employment opportunities for students and young adults.
Community Bridges Career Development Program - Offers personalized employment support for individuals with developmental disabilities or brain injuries. Career Development Specialists collaborate with local and national employers to identify, adapt, and create job opportunities that align with each participant's skills and interests. The program emphasizes the broader benefits of employment, including enhanced social skills, personal identity, and community integration. Services are available throughout Merrimack County, covering towns such as Concord, Bow, Franklin, and Henniker.
National Resources
Ticket to Work - A free and voluntary program offered by the Social Security Administration for people aged 18 to 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It connects participants with employment service providers that help with career counseling, job placement, and training, with the ultimate goal of supporting individuals in becoming financially independent without losing access to healthcare or cash benefits during their transition to work.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - Provides free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. It supports individuals with disabilities in understanding their rights and options under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and it assists employers in creating inclusive workplaces by helping them implement effective accommodations. JAN offers personalized consultation via phone, email, or chat, and provides a wealth of resources on topics like disability etiquette, legal compliance, and best practices for recruiting and retaining employees with disabilities. By serving as a bridge between workers and employers, JAN promotes equal opportunity and improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities across the United States.
Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) - A comprehensive resource that helps employers recruit, hire, retain, and promote individuals with disabilities. It offers policy guidance, best practices, and tools for fostering disability-inclusive workplace cultures, helping businesses tap into the talent of a diverse workforce.
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) - Develops and promotes policies and initiatives that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. ODEP collaborates with employers, policymakers, and advocacy organizations to shape inclusive employment practices nationwide.
State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies - Provides a wide range of employment services, including career counseling, skills training, assistive technology, and job placement, tailored to individuals with disabilities. Each state has its own VR agency, and services are generally available to those who are eligible and seek competitive employment.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) - A national initiative co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense. It connects federal and select private-sector employers with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities seeking internships or permanent employment opportunities. Eligible participants must be U.S. citizens with a documented disability, enrolled full-time in a degree program, or have graduated within the past year. Applicants apply each fall through participating colleges, where they may engage in informational interviews with federal recruiters. Successful candidates are added to a searchable database accessible to employers for one year, facilitating direct recruitment for various positions.