For Employers
Many government and private organizations specialize in helping businesses recruit and hire people with disabilities. Support through these resources is generally available at no cost to the employer.
Employment Networks
An Employment Network is an organization that enters into a contract with the Social Security Administration to coordinate and deliver employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services under the Ticket to Work Program. An employment network can help businesses better manage the success of their employees who have disabilities. In Minnesota, our State Vocational Rehabilitation locations provide Ticket to Work services and many Community Rehabilitation Providers are also Employment Networks through the Ticket to Work program.
For more information, visit Ticket to Work. For general inquires you may also call the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY/TDD), Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET.
Call DEED Vocational Rehabilitation Services at 800-328-9095.
Disability:IN Minnesota
Disability:IN Minnesota is 501c3 employer-led organization that has the mission of promoting best practices that enhance employment and career opportunities for skilled individuals who have a disability. Disability:IN Minnesota utilizes a "business to business" approach to help educate and promote the vital business strategy of including people who have disabilities in the workforce.
Business organizations that are a part of Disability:IN Minnesota are employers who exemplify best practices and who want to learn from and share their experiences with other businesses.
Businesses can connect with Disability:IN Minnesota to network and become aware of different models and strategies to drive disability inclusion in the workplace. Contact Disability:IN Minnesota or email info@di-mn.org.
Job Accommodation Network
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a national resource for employers that provides support and information about facilitating employment training for people with disabilities. JAN is a service provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
JAN provides consulting services for all employers at no cost to the business, regardless of the size of an employer's workforce. Services include one-on-one consultation about all aspects of job accommodations, including the accommodation process, accommodation ideas, product vendors, referral to other resources, and ADA compliance assistance.
JAN Accommodation and Compliance Webcast Series
In partnership with the U.S. Business Leadership Network, the Job Accommodation Network offers free webcast events. One-hour webcast events take place the second Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. EST. Pre-registration is required. Check out the webcast schedule.
Great Lakes ADA Center
The Great Lakes ADA Center provides information, materials, technical assistance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Topics addressed include the non-discrimination requirements in employment and the obligations of state and local governments and businesses to ensure that programs, services and activities are readily accessible to and useable by people with disabilities.
For more information about training services and resources at the Great Lakes ADA Center, visit www.adagreatlakes.org and use keyword 'trainings.'
For Employees
Employee Assistance Programs
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are fee-based worksite-based programs and resources designed to benefit both employers and employees. EAPs help businesses address productivity issues by helping employees identify and resolve personal concerns that affect job performance.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that employers realize returns of $5 to $16 on each EAP dollar spent. Benefits come from increased productivity, lower absenteeism and lower employee medical costs.
For employees who are experiencing a health condition that is disabling, the services provided by an EAP can help employers retain the employee.
The Disability Linkage Line
The Disability Linkage Line is a free information and referral resource providing Minnesotans who have disabilities a single access point for disability-related questions.
Trained resource specialists are available during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to provide one-on-one assistance for both employers and employees. Specialists can provide information about resources and programs designed to help people who have disabilities succeed at work and at home, including benefits programs, assistive technologies, personal assistance services, transportation services and more.
Contact the Disability Linkage Line at 1-866-333-2466.
Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities
Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities is a work incentive promoting competitive employment and economic self-sufficiency of people who have disabilities by assuring continued access to Medical Assistance for necessary health care services.
The goal of the program is to encourage people with disabilities to work and enjoy the benefits of being employed.
MA-EPD allows working people with disabilities to qualify for medical assistance under higher income and asset limits than standard MA. MA-EPD may be an option for your employees who:
- Are not offered employer-based insurance.
- Are not eligible for your employer-based insurance plan.
- Are enrolled in an employer-based insurance plan but need supplemental coverage to help pay for services not covered by the plan.
