Resources on Employment
AgrAbility Project assists agricultural employees, farmers and ranchers with disabilities by linking Cooperative Extension Services at land-grant universities with private nonprofit disability service organizations. The Project assists people who work on small or large production agricultural operations. State AgrAbility staff provide farmers or ranchers who have disabilities with training, site visits, on-farm assessments, technical assistance, and other information.
AgriWellness, Inc. promotes accessible behavioral health services, such as addictions treatment, mental health therapy and marital and family counseling for underserved and at-risk populations of
agricultural workers, including farmers, ranchers, migrant/seasonal workers, fishers, foresters, their families and communities.
AmeriCorps: Opening Doors to Community Service Helps Montanans with disabilities and their agency partners understand the opportunities that AmeriCorps programs offer, such as work experience in quality professional activities, and opportunities to make personal contacts that can lead to careers. Montanans with disabilities receive guidance in choosing the appropriate AmeriCorps experience. Montana disability organizations and service providers have access to a toll-free number, an internet site, and a one-step liaison to link persons with disabilities to all AmeriCorps state programs.
Ask-a-Pro Network This resource for vocational rehabilitation counselors serving people with disabilities who want to be self-employed features five self-employment experts who provide information about pertinent topics.
Association of Persons in Supported Employment Improves and expands integrated employment opportunities, services, and outcomes for persons experiencing disabilities.
Bender Consulting Services, Inc. Provides technology consulting services to customers while creating employment and career opportunities, independence and freedom for people with disabilities.
Breaking New Ground Resource Center Primary source for information and resources on rehabilitation technology for persons working in agriculture.
Businesspeople Overcoming Limitations from Disabilities (BOLD) provides resources, consulting services, and training for organizations that want to start, modify or expand entrepreneurship programs for people with disabilities; works with government and non-profit organizations on the development and management of entrepreneurship programs for people with disabilities; is dedicated to providing persons with disabilities the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship as an employment option.
Business Leadership Network Recognizes and promotes best practices in hiring, retaining, and marketing to people with disabilities.
Capacity Building for American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Projects at Western Washington University’s Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation.
Center for Strategic Capacity Building on Minorities with Disabilities Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Created to increase the capacity of State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies and community-based organizations to develop culturally competent services, the Center proposes to develop long-term relationships with agencies, conduct participatory research and demonstration projects, engage in active dissemination efforts, and provide state-of-the-art training and technical assistance to professionals and researchers in the field.
Center for Workers with Disabilities Technical assistance center for states enhancing or developing employment supports programs for working persons with disabilities; most of the 30 plus states supported by the Center are supporting employment supports development with Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funds established under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-170).
Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR). Allows administrators of Native American rehabilitation projects for persons with disabilities to collaborate and cooperate to increase the quantity and enhance the quality of services. CANAR newsletter is on the website — click on “Publications”.
Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation is composed of the chief administrators of the public rehabilitation agencies serving individuals with physical and mental disabilities in the States, District of Columbia, and the territories. The Council is the only national organization whose sole purpose and function is to advocate for the Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The mission is to maintain and enhance a strong, effective and efficient national program of public vocational rehabilitation services which empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into communities.
Council on Rehabilitation Education. CORE accredits graduate programs in Rehabilitation Counselor Education.
Deaf Professional Network promotes career development and networking opportunities for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Denver Options, Inc., Region VIII Community Rehabilitation Program /Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program Serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming
Diabetes at Work can help businesses and managed care companies assess the impact of diabetes in the workplace, and provide intuitive information to help employees manage their diabetes and take steps toward reducing risks for related complications, such as heart disease. Provides information, tip sheets, tools, resources, etc. Information is also available in Spanish.
Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network: A free service to connect employers with disability staffing agencies.
International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals serves a diverse membership practicing in the fields of longterm disability and disability management consulting, case management and managed care, forensics and expert testimony, life care planning, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) consulting.
Meeting the Challenge, Inc.: Rocky Mountain ADA Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center
Accommodating Employees with Disabilities DVD shows common examples of how to recognize and respond to requests for job accommodations in familiar job settings.
Montana Association for Rehabilitation Professional organization of vocational rehabilitation counselors, orientation and mobility specialists, independent living specialists, vocational evaluators, job placement specialists, job coaches, social workers, teachers, students of rehabilitation, and rehabilitation program support staff and administrators. MAR’s mission is to create a supportive environment in which committed individuals in the field of rehabilitation share goals, values, and experiences in an atmosphere of dignity, affirmation, celebration, and hope that promotes growth and fulfillment.
Montana Governor’s Disability Advisory Council Advises the Governor’s Office, the Department of Administration, and the Department of Public Health and Human Services on issues affecting the implementation of the federal American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in state government.
National Association of Rehabilitation Counselors
National Association of Workforce Boards represents the interests of the nation’s 600 state and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs). These private-sector businesses and employer representatives provide governance and oversight for One-Stop Career Centers and other federal training investments.
National Business and Disability Council Provides free national resume database, job listings from member organizations, NBDC Yellow Pages, career events, internships and job search tips.
National Center on Workforce and Disability Based at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Funded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.
National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials Collects, archives, and disseminates rehabilitation training materials.
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. Ensures that young people with disabilities have access to high-quality services to maximize their opportunities for employment.
Tunnels and Cliffs : A Guide for Workforce Development Practitioners and Policymakers serving Youth with Mental Health Needs helps workforce development practitioners, administrators, and policymakers increase their understanding of youth with mental health needs and the supports necessary to help them transition into the workforce successfully.
National Consortium for Health Systems Development is a technical assistance partnership providing flexible, state-tailored technical assistance for Medicaid Infrastructure Grant projects across the country. These Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-funded state projects are developing comprehensive health and employment service systems for people with disabilities who want to work. Serving people with disabilities, providers, state agencies, research institutes, advocates and businesses, NCHSD is a project of Health & Disability Advocates.
National Rehabilitation Association. Provides advocacy, awareness and career advancement for professionals in the fields of rehabilitation. Members include rehab counselors, physical, speech and occupational therapists, job trainers, consultants, independent living instructors and other professionals involved in the advocacy of programs and services for people with disabilities.
National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation Educates people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation; develops programs to increase opportunities for Americans with disabilities, and helps people with disabilities live up to their fullest potential.
National Rehabilitation Information Center Resources for employment, advocacy, benefits and financial assistance, education, technology, and more.
Proyecto Vision Training and technical assistance center for Latinos with disabilities. Bilingual website has an employment focus, plus other information of interest to Latinos with disabilities.
Reasonable Accommodations for People with Psychiatric Disabilities: An On-line Resource for Employers and Educators From Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
RecruitABILITY: Bridging the Disability Divide. Free resume posting, job posting and resume search
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics has prepared fairly detailed statistical status reports on working-age people with disabilities for the United States and for each state.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC: Rural) uses scientific methods to develop solutions for problems faced by Rural Americans with disabilities and those who serve them. Problems include access to transportation and housing, employment and self-employment, independent living services, health and wellness facilities, and inclusion in community planning and activities. The Center works with vocational rehabilitation agencies and Independent Living Centers to promote the use of self-employment and economic development activities within those programs. As a result of research, the center has developed a model state VR policy, implementing procedures, and a counselor curriculum.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Drugs and Disability Addresses substance abuse issues among individuals qualifying for vocational rehabilitation services. Collaborative sites include the Miami Valley Hospital, New York University, Ohio State University, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on State Systems and Employment
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports.
Rehabilitation Services Administration Oversees:
Montana Blind and Low Vision Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Provides services to help eligible individuals with visual disabilities find or maintain employment.Montana Vocational Rehabilitation Services Provides services based on individual employment needs, including evaluation, career counseling and guidance, and medical or psychological services.
Montana Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs:
Blackfeet Manpower
George Kipp, IV, Project Coordinator
Blackfeet Tribal Business Council
PO Box 1090
Browning, MT 59417
(403) 338-2111 FAX: 406-338-5540
george_kipp@yahoo.com or jowax_00@hotmail.comChippewa Cree Tribe
Evelyn Oats, Project Director
RR 1, Box 544
Box Elder, MT 59521
(406) 395-5739 FAX: 406-395-4489
eoats@mtintouch.netConfederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation
April Zimmerer, Project Director
DHRD Vocational Rehabilitation
P.O. Box 278
Pablo, MT 59855
(406) 675-2700 Ext. 1038 FAX: (406) 675-2775
aprilz@cskt.org or arlenet@cskt.orgGros Ventre & Assiniboine Tribes, Fort Belknap
Warren Matte, Project Director
RR 1, Box 66
Harlem, MT 59526
(406) 353-2205, ext. 410 FAX: (406) 353-4572
tvr@ttc-cmc.netFort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes
Wilfred “Max” Bear, Project Director
Vocational Rehabilitation Program E-mail: asvrp@nemontel.net
P.O. Box 1027
Poplar, MT 59255
(406) 768-3488 or 866-768-3485
FAX: (406) 768-5668Northern Cheyenne Tribe Tribal VR
Richard Littlebear
P.O. Box 128
Lame Deer, MT 59043
406-477-6215
SEED Provides training for job coaches and job developers in rehabilitation, supported employment, welfare-to-work, school-to-work transition and special education settings.
Self-Employment for People with Disabilities Free In-Service/Pre-Service Training Curriculum for Rehabilitation Professionals
Start-Up-USA provides technical assistance and disseminate resources nationally to individuals with disabilities interested in pursuing self-employment. Successful entrepreneurs will share their secrets for success in a live web cast series during year one of the project. START-UP/USA also will provide assistance to three projects, START-UP/Alaska, START-UP/Florida, and START-UP/New York. These projects will generate data and information to validate systems capacity-building strategies and systems change models for successfully increasing self-employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The information generated through these model programs will be disseminated nationally for replication through technical assistance and support.
Tech Connections. Assistive technology database for vocational rehabilitation and employment-related needs.
The Abilities Fund Services are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities interested in business ownership and the organizations that serve them. The Fund focuses on entrepreneurs with disabilities, microenterprise development organizations, and vocational rehabilitation agencies and other disability-related organizations. The Abilities Fund offers a range of financial products, customized training, technical assistance, policy recommendations, and links to resources.
University of Northern Colorado Region VIII Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program Serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming
University of Wisconsin-Stout Master’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Available through Distance Education and specifically designed for individuals who are already working in the field of rehabilitation or have related experience, and wish to pursue their graduate degree on a part-time basis. Uses asynchronous “anytime anywhere” learning. CORE accredited and graduates are eligible to take the CRC exam upon program completion.
Western Washington Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation
Work Incentives Transition Network is a collaborative project funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The Network increases educators’, family members’, transition age students’, and advocates’ awareness of Social Security Work Incentives for school-aged youth with disabilities including the Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), the Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE), and the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE).
Workforce Management Human resources trends and tools. “Research Center” link includes section, “Legal Issues on Disabilities.”
Work Healthy, Live Healthy Curriculum developed by the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health for persons with disabilities who receive services through community rehabilitation programs. Work Healthy, Live Healthy combines environmental changes with health education and individual supports. Core activities include a consumer directed and staff supported wellness committee, time limited health education classes, regular opportunities for moderate physical activity, such as a walking club, and changes to vending selections. Work Healthy, Live Healthy is designed to encourage the workplace to become supportive of health and wellness for all.
Workplace Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center Identifies, designs, and develops devices and systems to help people with disabilities be more productive in the workplace.