Meaningful work is often a key ingredient to a meaningful life.

In our generation in North America, much progress has been made to develop meaningful work for persons with all kinds of disabilities. Still, the structure of our capitalistic economies renders persons with disabilities most vulnerable in times of stress.

Adaptations often need to be made to make work successful for persons with disabilities. When the values of long-term relationships, company loyalty, adequate training, and steady work pace are valued, such persons are often successful. Where the emphasis is on short-term profits, maximum efficiency, and multi-tasking, persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable.

This page attempts to provide links to a variety of tools to help make successful work possible for persons with disabilities. The focus tends to be on developmental disabilities, but many of the concepts apply to other disabilities as well as mental illness.

Topics include general information and resources, training and rehabilitation, and accommodations needed for successful integration into the workplace.

A listing of some good representative organizations is also presented.

General Information/Resources

Vocational Rehabilitation
A brief synopsis of U.S. federal legislation affecting persons with disabilities and their ability to work.

APSE: The Network on Employment
APSE stands for Association for Persons in Supported Employment. The website explains that "supported employment (SE) enables people with disabilities who have not been successfully employed to work and contribute to society. SE focuses on a person's abilities and provides the supports the individual needs to be successful on a long-term basis." APSE is a membership organization formed in 1988 for anyone interested in working "to improve and expand integrated employment opportunities, services, and outcomes for persons experiencing disabilities." The website includes a number of free position papers as well as information on conferences, state conventions, and legislative agenda.

Employment of People with Mental Retardation
Several short helpful papers on employment of persons with mental retardation.

Disabilities Resources: Employment
A page with links to some of the major resources for employment of persons with disabilities in the United States.