Work is possible with the right support
Arizona is an Employment First state. This promotes the idea that employment is a possibility for everyone, including individuals with significant disabilities, when they receive the right support. Several options can assist those who’d like to work.
Success Stories
After high school, Claire and her family contacted Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for help with finding employment. Claire has anxiety and an intellectual disability. Through career exploration services, she learned about different jobs and volunteered at animal shelters. She realized she has an allergy to animal fur, causing her to change directions.
Still searching for the right fit, Claire participated in a nine-month program called Project SEARCH, with her participation funded by VR. Individuals rotate through different departments with on-site job coaching and receive assistance with finding employment after the program ends.
After completing this program, a family friend encouraged Claire to apply for a position with her local school district. She first worked in a cafeteria but that still wasn’t the right fit. She ultimately found a better match as an instructional aide in a developmental preschool classroom, where she has worked for more than three years. The school supports her needs by providing written instructions and additional training when needed for new tasks
Bailey has an autism diagnosis and always enjoyed cooking. After high school, he attended his district’s transition program for two years. His family thought finding a job would also build his skills.
Bailey’s mother spoke with managers at local businesses and helped him apply for a position at a specialty grocery store, where he started as a courtesy clerk. Bailey later earned culinary certificates from a high school vocational program and community college. He now works in the store’s bistro, where he enjoys preparing food for customers.
While his mom initially provided job coaching, Bailey later received employment support through VR. A job coach helped him settle into his position, and he’s worked there for about four years.
VR options
Individuals with disabilities often start with VR for employment support. Managed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), VR assists individuals with diagnoses or conditions that could challenge them in finding or keeping employment in a typical workplace. VR participants earn the same pay and benefits as other employees in similar roles.
Eligibility for other programs such as the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) or the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) is not required to receive VR services.
Individuals can refer themselves to VR, or DDD members could request referral from their support coordinator. VR will do an intake to determine eligibility. A VR counselor works directly with a job seeker, authorizing services to outside agencies depending on the individual’s goals and needs.
VR Services Can include:
- Job Coaching: Job coaches can help individuals identify suitable jobs, complete applications, prepare for interviews and adjust to employment. Support can continue after hiring until the individual becomes stable in the position.
- Education: VR can pay for education or training programs that are deemed necessary for the individual’s job plan if these programs are approved by VR.
- Work Adjustment Training (WAT): WAT assists individuals who need more support in developing soft skills such as attendance, punctuality and hygiene.
- Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS): Pre-ETS provides career exploration and job readiness workshops for students with disabilities aged 14 to 22 who are enrolled in educational programs, including homeschooled students. Individuals don’t need to be VR eligible to participate in pre-ETS.
DDD Employment Services
Two employment services available to DDD-eligible members include Individual Supported Employment (ISE) and Group Supported Employment (GSE).
ISE often aids individuals who found jobs through VR and are eligible for DDD and ALTCS. These individuals may benefit from ongoing job coaching to help them to maintain and succeed in their jobs. Once VR determines that an individual is stable at their job, VR and the DDD support coordinator will work together to determine the level of support, through ISE, that is needed for that individual to maintain their position.
ISE can be used as long as necessary if the member remains ALTCS eligible. A job coach will usually join the individual at their job site. This can be helpful to acclimate individuals to changes at their job such as new duties or supervisors.
With GSE, individuals who are DDD and ALTCS eligible work in groups of about four individuals with ongoing supervision. GSE services can help an individual learn soft skills like getting to work on time or taking directions from a supervisor. While some GSE providers historically paid sub-minimum wage, all individuals entering this program after January 1, 2025, now earn at least minimum wage for work performed.
Individuals can participate in GSE while attending a day program or receiving VR services. It all depends on their stamina, interest and schedule, said Kelly Thomas, DDD Employment Services Manager. They just can’t receive more than eight hours of DDD day and employment services combined per day.
Other employment services available through DDD include:
Pathways to Employment: Similar to VR, Pathways helps individuals discover their talents and interests, also providing training and interview preparation. Pathways is a transitional program; individuals can participate for up to two years.
Center-Based Employment (CBE): This program hires individuals with disabilities to perform specific tasks at a site or center, sometimes paying sub-minimum wage. This could be helpful for an individual who never worked or volunteered before, and they and their caregivers want to assess their work tolerance. Participants can build skills such as coming on time and taking instructions. In these programs, tasks are usually brought to the individual. But program participants must also participate in the community. This could include an activity like selling items they make at a craft fair. Center-based employment programs have a limit of one year of participation. Usually the goals of center-based employment include building an individual’s skills, preparing them to move to GSE or competitive integrated employment.
Employment Support Aide (ESA): ESA assists individuals who are already working but might need help with personal care tasks or behavioral health support. ESA can be provided during ISE or GSE.
“It’s not always a linear process,” Thomas said of these employment services, noting that the progression of services can depend on what’s best for the individual. More information is available on the Member Employment Services page of the DDD website.
Addressing Challenges
Participants have options if they aren’t happy with their employment support.
If they are a VR client, they can contact the supervisor of their VR office to discuss concerns. Office locations are listed on the VR website. After that, individuals can contact the RSA Ombudsman or the VR Client Assistance Program.
For issues with DDD services, individuals can contact their support coordinators to discuss. They can next contact the coordinator’s supervisor if they don’t think their concerns have been resolved.
Individuals who are employed can talk to their manager/supervisor or their ISE job coach about any concerns. The ISE coach could review the concerns and help prepare the individual to speak to a manager or other appropriate person at the job.
Concerns About Employment
Caregivers or individuals might question whether they are good candidates for employment.
“Work looks different for everyone,” said Kristen Mackey, RSA Administrator. “VR can help explore what jobs might be available and can provide services and support to look for a role that fits (an individual’s) strengths and abilities. VR works closely with our partners to ensure that every client has the right support to meet their employment goals.” This includes partnerships with DDD and Behavioral Health services.
VR is also developing Customized Employment, a flexible approach to job seeking. Customized Employment will work at the pace of the individual, including a detailed Discovery process to match an individual’s strengths and interests with unmet needs of employers. This service is not currently available but will be offered in the future.
Another common concern is how employment may affect public benefits including services through DDD and ALTCS, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from Social Security.
Individuals can visit Disability Benefits 101 or Ability360’s Benefits 2 Work program for more information about how working could affect benefits.
Why Employment Matters
As an Employment First state, Arizona agencies are expected to encourage individuals with disabilities to explore meaningful work opportunities whenever appropriate.
“Employment is key to inclusion,” says Employment First Coordinator Gina Griffiths. “Competitive Integrated Employment is the pathway to moving out of poverty for individuals with disabilities. Employment is also known to increase social opportunities, provide a source of pride and increase health outcomes.”
Contact Encircle Families for information about any of these employment programs.
