Empowering Employment Decisions for People with Disabilities

This toolkit is a resource designed to support people with disabilities and the staff, such as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and family members who assist them. Whether you're preparing for a new job, navigating your current role, planning for retirement, or assisting someone in this process, this toolkit offers financial education tools and resources for every stage of your employment journey.

Unlock Your Economic Potential

Too often, the economic challenges faced by individuals with disabilities are overlooked. This toolkit shines a light on the financial aspects of employment, offering practical solutions for both individuals and the people who provide them with supports and services. It's a resource for people with disabilities, DSPs and other services and support staff and family members, providing the tools and knowledge necessary to plan career paths and better support those they assist.

Explore Employment Lifecycle Stages

 

A young neurodivergent person holding a phone

Preparing

for a Job

A younger person in a wheelchair

Starting

a Job

A visually impaired person reading Braille

Maintaining

a Job

A middle aged person holding a tablet

Changing or

Losing a Job

A celebratory older person holding a laptop

Retiring

from a Job

 

Each stage offers tailored financial resources, tools, and suggestions specifically curated by and for people with disabilities and the people who support them. These resources help address key questions and provide the tools needed to assist you in achieving your financial goals and to support others in achieving theirs.

Get Started

  • Click on one of the tiles above to to access the employment lifecycle categories instantly.
  • Navigate using the left-hand menu or scroll down to explore the 5 stages, paired with helpful visuals.
  • Are you a disability service provider or do you support someone with a disability? Click the "Resources for Staff and Family members" button on the left-hand side to access resources for people who support someone with a disability.

How to Use the Toolkit

  1. Search the Toolkit: Use the search feature to find specific topics, terms, or resources.
  2. Explore by Category: Access resources organized into Publications, Tools, Websites, and Videos.
  3. Key Terms & Resources: Look up key financial terms and related materials.
  4. FAQs: Find answers to common questions, whether you're navigating the employment process yourself or supporting someone with a disability.

This toolkit empowers you or someone you support to make informed decisions at every stage of employment.

 

United States Department of Labor EBSA

United States Department of Labor ODEP

 

In Collaboration With

 

LEAD Center WIOA Policy Development

The LEAD WIOA Policy Department Center is led by National Disability Institute. It is fully funded as the WIOA Policy Development Center by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Grant number: OD-38977-22-75-4-11.