Employment Resources for Teens with Disability
As a teen wanting to explore volunteering or getting your first job or as a parent beginning to plan ahead for your child's transition to the workforce, the process will take some planning, learning, and patience. We have compiled a few resources for you to help decide what types of employment opportunities work best for you.
This content was originally created as a handout for participants of National Disability Mentoring Day.
General Job Resources for Teens
Youthhood Job Center
University of Minnesota's site for teens beginning to think about working. The site has information, surveys, and helpful questions to think about.
YouthRules for Teens
U.S. Department of Labor Site outlining federal and state labor laws
National Resources for Teens With Special Needs
Center on Education and Work (CEW)
A website with resources to enhance the quality of career-related learning for all individuals in schools, colleges, and the workplace.
Guideposts for Success
A guide to help steer families, institutions, and youth through the transition process from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth).
Mapping Your Dreams: Employment
Transition tips for parents from the PACER Center, an organization that expands opportunities and enhances the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families. Highlights strategies and resources that help your child with disabilities consider options and prepare for employment.
Washington State Resources for Teens With Special Needs
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT)
Program at the University of Washington that recruits youth with disabilities into challenging college programs and careers. This program enables high school students with disabilities to explore careers and to gain the prerequisite knowledge needed for success in college and employment.
People Working
Washington Initiative for Supportive Employment's Wikispace that showcases stories and videos of people with disabilities working in the Northwest.
Ticket-to-Work (TTW)
A Social Security Administration program that provides employment support services for people with disabilities who want to work. Services might include vocational rehabilitation, job search assistance, job training, resume writing, job coaching, and more.
Transition from High School
Washington Parents Are Vital in Education (PAVE)'s 2-page brochure for parents about general topics surrounding the transition from high school to post-high school activities for students with disabilities.