Disability Services Beacon - Spring 2007

Disability and Employment

Americans with disabilities are active and contributing members of our society. Employment is the economic engine of our nations, our communities and our families. Employment promotes greater independence, self-sufficiency, productivity and improved quality of life. By reducing physical barriers and false perceptions, employment opportunities can be increased for people with disabilities and our country can in-turn benefit from the additional talents, creativity, dedication and hard work.



Federal Employment Resources:

Today, there are many resources available to job seekers who have a disability. The Federal Government promotes the hiring of individuals with disabilities through several programs and initiatives.

USAJOBS is the official job site of the Federal Government. It is a one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information. Administered by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), USA JOBS participates in the New Freedom Initiative “Schedule A” which is an appointment authority specifically used to hire persons with a disability into the Federal government.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages the social insurance program, consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. To qualify for these benefits, most American workers pay Social Security taxes on their earnings and future benefits are based on the employees' contributions. The Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. SSI pays benefits to adults with disabilities and children who have limited income and resources. The Social Security Disability Insurance program pays benefits to people with disabilities and certain family members who have worked long enough to pay social security taxes. SSA also oversees the Ticket to Work program which aims to increase opportunities and choices for SSI or SSDI beneficiaries who want to obtain employment. The program provides a ticket to the individual who can use it to obtain services from Employment Networks.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an annual observance each October, and is designed to recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities. Each annual awareness month celebration provides a time for reflection on past accomplishments and presents a foundation for facing the challenges of the year ahead.

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability related employment policy and practices that affect people with disabilities. ODEP maintains an informative Web site. ODEP announced the New Freedom Initiative in 2001 which comprises a comprehensive set of proposals aiming to insure that Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to learn and develop skills and engage in productive work.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service of ODEP operated by West Virginia University providing individualized worksite accommodation solutions, technical assistance regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and information about self employment options.

State Level Resources:

Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) provides vocational rehabilitation services to include counseling and guidance, job search and placement assistance, skill training and other vocational training and education. DRS has multiple field offices located within the communities of the persons who they serve.

Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) provides employment assistance for workers including job referral and placement, and referral to training and job search skill building activities. They provide access to thousands of job listings. They also provide services related to unemployment.

Virginia Department of the Blind and Visually Impaired develops extensive individualized employment focused programs for eligible persons.

Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) assists all people with obtaining appropriate assistive technology. Assistive technology pertains to everything from hearing aids to wheelchairs to computers. All regional sites have many devices that can assist individuals at the workplace, school, at home or in the community. They also have a knowledgeable staff to demonstrate how the devices work.

"In 2006, the Commission [EEOC] made visible progress in advancing equal employment opportunity, yet much work remains. Our challenge in 2007 is to make the most effective and efficient use of agency resources to foster fair and inclusive work environments for all individuals."
—Naomi C. Earp, Chair Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

DRS
8004 Franklin Farms Dr
Richmond, VA 23229
Tel: 1-804-662-7000
TTY: 800-552-5019
www.vadrs.org

VEC
5520 Cherokee Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22312-2319
Tel: 703-813-1300
www.vec.virginia.gov

VDBVI
397 Azalea Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227-3623
www.vdbi.gov

VATS
8004 Franklin Farms Dr
Richmond, VA 23229
Tel: 1-804-662-9990
TTY: 1-800-435-8490
www.vats.org

 

Employment Resources:

USA Jobs
1900 E St NW
Washington, DC 20415
Tel: 1-202-606-1800 TTY: 1-202-606-2532
www.usajobs.gov

Social Security
SSI/SSDI
Tel: 1-800-772-1213
TTY 1-800-325-0778
www.socialsecurity.gov

ODEP
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20210
Tel: 1-866-633-7365 TTY: 1-877-889-562 7
www.odep.gov

JAN
Tel: 1-800-526-7234 TTY 1-877-781-9403
www.jan.wva.edu

Ticket to Work
Tel: 1-866-968-7842 TTY: 1-866-833-2967
www.yourtickettowork.gov

Local Resources:

Fairfax County Community Services Board provides case management and related services for people with mental health and for people with mental retardation. Employment services are provided under contracted community based organizations.

Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board operates 5 One-Stop SkillSource Centers, which, free of charge, offer skills assessment, career training, job placement, personalized counseling, interview and resume preparation, and job search assistance.

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) – Annandale Campus. The STRIVE program provides classes for students with learning disabilities, on the job counseling, job exploration, job training apprenticeships and related resources.

Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons is a non-profit organization for deaf and hard of hearing persons and their families. While they do not offer direct assistance in seeking employment, their services can help people with hearing loss prepare to seek employment.

Brain Injury Services (BIS) helps individuals with case management, cognitive rehabilitation, independent living skills training, respite care, clubhouse programs and social skills training all of which contribute towards successful employment outcomes.

Local Employment Resources:

Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
12011 Government Center Pkwy., Suite 836
Fairfax, Virginia 22035-1105
703-324-7000 TTY: 703-802-3015
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb

Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board
8300 Boone Blvd., Suite 8450
Vienna, Virginia 22182
703-752-1606 or 703-533-5400 or TTY 703-533-5316
www.myskillsource.org

Northern Virginia Community College (STRIVE)
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, Virginia 22003
703-323-3000; TTY 703-323-3744
www.nvcc.edu/annandale/continuing/courses

Northern Virginia Resource Center
3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-352-9055 TTY 703-352-9056
www.nvcc.org

Brain Injury Services
8136 Old Keene Mill Road, Suite B102
Springfield, Virginia 22152
703-451-8881
www.braininjurysrvs.org

 

Other Helpful Resources:

EXCELL! Networking Group is a professional networking organization of and for persons with disabilities providing mentoring and motivational support, education, career counseling and employment opportunities. For more information call 703-465-2642 or visit their Web site at www.excelability.org and click education and training.

The Laurie Mitchell Training Center is a drop in center where individuals with mental illness can receive free employment assistance, computer training and peer support. For more information call 703-461-6000 or TTY 703-461-7905 or visit their Web site www.lmec.org.

The ARC of Northern Virginia provides advocacy and support for people with disabilities including referrals on employment issues. For more information call them at 703-532-3214 or www.thearcofnova.org.

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The listserv sends out one brief e-mail each week. The listserv is the primary vehicle for publicly announcing meetings and activities of the Disability Services Board and will in the future tell you how to get online issues of the Disability Services Beacon.

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Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services, and activities. This document is available is alternative formats upon request. Please call 703-324-5421 or TTY 703-449-1186, or send an e-mail to disabilityservices@fairfaxcounty.gov. Allow 7 working days for preparation of the material.

Fairfax Area Disability Services Board
Mason: Bruce Harris, Chair
Sully District: Ann Pimley, Vice Chair
Braddock District: Pam Barrett
City of Fairfax: Woody Witt
City of Falls Church: Vacant
Dranesville District: Tapan Banerjee
Hunter Mill District: “Cookie” Hymer Blitz
Lee District: Barbara Hunt
Mount Vernon District: David Norcross
Providence District: Vacant
Springfield District: Anna Faye Dixon
At Large: Kim Callahan
At Large: Tom Choman
At Large: Bob Rudney
At Large: Leslie Braunstein

 

DSB Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month, 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the
Government Center - Conference Rooms 2 and 3
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22035-1105

Meetings are open to the public. Three minute public comments are welcomed during the Public Comment period. For more information call 703-324-5421, TTY 703-449-1186, or e-mail disabilityservices@fairfaxcounty.gov 5 working days prior to the meeting.

Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. This document is available in alternate formats upon request. Please call 703-324-5421 or TTY 703-449-1186 or e-mail disabilityservices@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Disability Services Beacon is published in part with funds received from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services.

 

Fairfax Area Disability Services Board
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 708
Fairfax, Virginia 22035-1104