Employment
What are Employment services?
Employment means working at a job for pay. Having a regular paycheck can give you the freedom to do what you want to do. Many seniors and people with disabilities want to work.
Between 45-65% of people with disabilities are unemployed or under-employed. Some people do not realize that there are ways to stay working or get back to work.
Federal and state laws protect your rights to work. You can review these laws on Legal Rights Page of this website.
What programs and services are available?
Finding the right job can be hard. If you are a senior or have a disability, it can be even harder. You are not alone when looking for the right job. Many agencies can help you find a job. These agencies have many services to help find the right job and career for you. These services can also get you ready for jobs in many fields.
Visit the Virginia Employment Commission website or call toll free at 1-804-786-1485 (TTY 1-804-371-8050) to learn about finding a job. Or visit your local One-Stop Career Center, also called a Workforce Center. The Centers offer employment, training, and career education services. Everyone can use the Centers, free of charge.
To find a local Center, visit the Virginia Workforce Centers website. If you use assistive technology, and need some assistance to better use the Center’s services, ask your local Center if a “Disability Program Navigator” is available. Disability Program Navigators are trained to provide specialized services to assist you.
If you have a disability and want to know how to get ready for, find, and keep a job, visit the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services website. Or you can call toll free at 1- 800-552-5019 (TTY: 1-800-464-9950).
If you have a visual impairment or are blind or deafblind and want to know more about employment services, visit the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired website. Or call toll free at 1-800-622-2155 (Voice/TTY).
If you have an intellectual disability (mental retardation) or mental health issue, contact your local Community Services Board. Visit the VirginiaNavigator website and select “Community Services Boards” and put in your zip code.
If you are a veteran with a disability, and would like to return to work, you can visit the Virginia Department of Veterans Services website or call (804) 786-0286.
If you are age 55 or older and want to work, your local Area Agency on Aging may be able to help. Visit VirginiaNavigator and select “Area Agency on Aging” and put in your zip code.
If you receive Medicaid benefits, Medicaid Works, allows workers with disabilities to earn higher income and keep more in resources, while ensuring Medicaid coverage.
What are the costs?
Most employment services do not have a cost, but some do. If you are under 18 and your family is able to pay, or if you were given a large worker’s compensation claim, you might have to pay for all or some of your services. To get free services you must meet financial requirements.
How do I qualify?
Many of these services are for everyone. If you have a disability, you may qualify for special employment services from one or more of the agencies listed above.
Where can I find out more?
Virginia Resources:
- Job Fair Information
- Job Preparation
- VCU Research and Rehabilitation Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention
- Virginia Career View
- Virginia Small Business Development Network Center
- Virginia Workforce Network
- Virginia Workforce Connection
Career One-Stop Web Resources
Resources Just for Seniors
Other Resources
