Having a Disability

If you have a disability, there are some resources you can use to help with career exploration, paying for post–high school training, and other things related to getting a job and pursuing a career.

Some of the main things you need to do are:

• Talk to your Individualized Education Program (IEP) team about your goals and dreams for a job and a career;
• Be sure your goals are written in your IEP;
• Become connected to your local Workforce Center and specifically to a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor no later than age 16; and
• Request work-based learning experiences (real jobs where you get to try them out) while you are still in high school so you can start to get a feel for what you like and don't like.

You'll also want to be aware of your disability rights (Section 504 and ADA) with respect to potential employers in job interviews, and existing employers.