The 4 Areas of Stability create a foundation to support a Job Seeker’s goal of obtaining and maintaining employment:
Upon entering/returning to the work force, the Job Seekers physical well-being (stability) plays a role in both obtaining and maintaining employment, meaning; even if the perfect job is found, if the job seeker is not physically well enough to get to work, or while at work, not physically able to perform the required tasks/responsibilities of that job (with or without reasonable accommodations), maintaining employment is not likely short or long term.
Physical well-being, or stability, can be addressed working with health care provider(s) by following doctor’s orders (i.e., physical/vocational or other therapies, dietary restrictions/recommendations, follow-up appointments/referrals, medication management and compliance, etc.).
Medical Work Restriction Form is to be completed by the Job Seeker’s health care provider and should list the provider’s medical restrictions and recommendations, based on their understanding of the job seeker’s medical history/disability/related conditions:
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Recommended work hours per week/per shift (to maintain successful employment, minimizing the risk of further injury)
- Lifting restriction(s) may need to be addressed (example: acceptable amount of weight to be lifted from floor to waist, waist to shoulders, shoulders to above head)
- Frequency of the Lifting restriction(s) in a work shift (example: not at all 0%, occasionally 1-33%, Frequently 34%-66%, Constantly 67%-100%)
- Standing or walking restriction(s) in a work shift (example: not at all 0%, Occasionally 1-33%, Frequently 34%-66%, Constantly 67%-100%)
- Additional physical restrictions that maybe considered: Bending, squatting, climbing stairs/ladders, pushing/pulling weight, environmental restrictions (pertaining to allergies, stress, noise levels, etc.).
This form is designed to protect the job seeker and a copy of this form should be kept by the job seeker. This form will then serve as a guide/parameters to work within (to preserve medical stability) while seeking an appropriate job match (pre employment). It can also be used to obtain accommodations with your new employer (post-employment). If you work with a local Employment Services agency, who provide job placement and retention, or follow up services (Job Coaching), you will likely be asked to have this form completed (this is a form I regularly have completed for the individuals I work with).
Having support at home, a place to shower and get ready to work, certainly plays a role in employment success. Based on my observations of countless real life examples, supportive loved ones and family members (of the Job Seeker), are most effective being supportive when:
- Encouraging independence
- Promoting dignity and respect; by allowing the job seeker to learn from their mistakes (which I suspect is how many of us learn)
- Encouraging the following habits (as needed): appropriate grooming habits (a haircut, nails clean and neat, facial hair shaved or trimmed neatly, a self-care routine (that includes brushing teeth, showering, deodorant, and all other needs that are not listed but pertain to hygiene)
- Having neat/clean clothing, that fits well and is work appropriate (does not include: clothing with slogans, wearing baseball hats, flip flops, ill-fitting clothing that exposes the mid-drift (or are not work appropriate), or have stains and/or holes in them, etc.
Emotional well-being (stability) plays a role in obtaining and maintaining employment. Finding the right job takes time, requires patience and like most life changes, may introduce a new set of stressors (new environment, a new schedule, learning job tasks/policies, communicating with co-workers and management, fears of failure etc.)
Emotional stability can be addressed working with your mental health care provider(s) by: following your doctor’s orders (i.e., therapy/counseling, medication compliance/management, follow-up appointments/referrals, etc.).
A Psychiatric Work Release Form addresses the following, based on your Mental Health professional’s recommendations and understanding of your psychiatric treatment history/disability/related conditions:
- Recommended work hours per week/per shift (to maintain successful employment while maintaining psychiatric stability)
- Recommended work environment, which may include ‘low stress’ environments (omitting jobs that include speed requirements, loud/distracting environments, etc.)
- Current Medications
This form is designed to protect the job seeker; will serve as a guide to identifying employment opportunities that will meet the Job Seeker’s specific needs by listing potential limitations related to work environment stressors (what to avoid, based on mental health care provider’s recommendations). The Psychiatric Work Release should be used as a guideline for identifying an appropriate job match.
Transportation can be a significant barrier to reaching the goal of employment. Often, upon addressing the job seeker’s transportation plan, I have been told “we will figure it out”. Unfortunately, this is not a plan and generally results in panic when the job is obtained. The purpose of a transportation plan is to anticipate ahead and avoid panic (knowing starting a job itself is likely to be its own stressor).
PACE Services are an excellent option to get to/from work. If PACE is going to be the transportation plan, the following should be considered:
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The Job Seekers safety or risk factors for taking public transit
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Work hours/availability of the Job Seeker will need to align with bus service hours
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The job search should be focused on employers on the bus route
- If PACE Para-transit or PACE Dial-A-Ride services are needed (check for availability in your area), the application process takes approximately 8-10 weeks from start to finish. As a result, applying for and following the application process to obtain these services, should be priority one.
For an adult with a disability, who is ready to obtain community employment, there are several options to reaching this goal:
The information on this site is meant to empower the Job Seeker (and/or their loved ones/supports/advocates) with general information related to Disability and Employment; to be used to make informed decisions in preparation for employment, during the job search and post-employment.
For those Job Seekers who choose to seek employment on their own, my hope is the information on this site serves as a general guideline or “food for thought” when considering or actively seeking community employment.
If applying for Employment Services/Career Development through a local agency, the Job Seeker’s services fees will then (likely) be funded by DRS/Division of Rehabilitation Services. The following are some advantages (based on my experience) of applying through an Employment Services agency:
- The agency’s Intake Specialist will facilitate completing and submitting the Application for Employment Services to DRS for funding (“making the referral”)
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The Intake Specialist will follow up with DRS on the status of the application and assist as needed throughout the application process
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Local agency’s Case Manager’s (Employment Services staff) manage far less cases (average case load 20-30 assigned cases) than the State of IL DRS Vocational Rehab/VR Counselors (average case load reported to be 200-400 assigned cases)
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The Job Seeker is likely to have more time, and personalized attention, working through a local agency (based on managing less cases)
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Once the Intake Specialist receives the DRS plan (funding approval) for Employment Services, the job seeker’s case will then be re-assigned to an Employment Services Case Manager, who will then assist and support the job seeker obtaining community employment
DHS’s Division of Rehabilitation Services/DRS is the state’s lead agency serving individuals with disabilities. DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities.
- To find the nearest local DRS office call toll-free: (800) 843-6154 (voice, English or Spanish) or (800) 447-6404 (TTY).
- A referral will need to be completed and submitted to determine Service eligibility.
- Once approved for Employment Services, the Job Seeker will receive a letter in the mail listing a date and time for the initial meeting with the assigned Vocational Rehabilitation/VR Counselor.
- The letter will also include a list of documents, that the Job Seeker will need to bring to the initial meeting, that will be required by the assigned DRS VR Counselor. Be sure to bring ALL documentation listed, without it, the VR Counselor may not be able to “open a case” (for Employment Services, to be funded by DRS) and the meeting will be rescheduled to a later date when the documents can be provided.
- It is required that the Job Seeker attend this meeting (also referred to as an ‘Opening Staffing’), and if the job Seeker has a legal Guardian, it is required that the Guardian also attend this meeting (as Guardian signatures will be required on DRS paperwork).
The Ticket program offers Social Security beneficiaries (Job Seeker) with disabilities the choices, opportunities and supports needed to find and keep employment, increase their earnings, and reduce their dependence on benefit payments.
- It is free and voluntary for eligible individuals (Ticketholders) ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits due to a disability.
- The program’s goal is to ensure that Ticketholders have access to vocational rehabilitation, employment, and other support services from public and private providers and other organizations.
- Ticketholders may obtain services from employment service providers including State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies or approved Employment Networks (EN), such as JAC Employment Services.
- The EN can be a single entity, a partnership/alliance (public or private), or a consortium of organizations collaborating to provide services that meet the requirements of the Ticket program. A Ticketholder may assign his or her Ticket to an EN of choice to obtain employment-related services and supports.
- The primary goal of the program is for Ticketholders to become economically self-sufficient and reduce their reliance on public benefits.
- The beneficiary’s goal should ultimately be able to work at a level that will result in the discontinuation of disability benefits as the beneficiary becomes self-supporting.
- For help finding an EN, the beneficiary may call the Ticket Help Line (866) 968-7842 or (866) 833-2967 (TTY).
- VA offers 5 support-and-services tracks to help you get education or training.
- It is free and voluntary for eligible Veterans, VA Careers & Employment.
- The primary goal of the program: Our tracks can help you learn new skills, find a new job, start a new business, get educational counseling, or return to your former job.
- For help finding Veteran assistance call VA Benefits Hot Line 800-827-1000. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 711.
The following are a list of documents that may be needed by the Job Seeker (if there is a Guardian, additional documents and participation will be required)
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State ID or Driver’s License
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Social Security Card
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Proof of income (if currently working, provide the last 2-3 pay stubs. If receiving Social Security Benefits, have the Job Seeker’s Social Security Awards Letter available).
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Proof of Health Insurance (Private, Medicare, Medicaid).
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Proof of Disability (Psychological, IEP, I-CAP, or related Diagnostic Tool)
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A copy of the Job Seeker’s resume, or a list of employment history, volunteer experience, vocational training experience(s).
- If there is a Guardian: during the Intake process (initial meetings) with a local Employment Agency or DRS, the guardian’s signature(s) will be required on most paperwork. It will be important the Guardian(s) attend these initial meetings (which will likely take place between the hours of 8am-5pm).
PACE also has applications to apply for a Reduced or Free Fare bus pass. All of this information can be found on PACE.com OR by calling PACE at 312/663-HELP (4357)