Disability services can include everything from helping to find a job to providing educational support. They can also offer access to specialized medical care.
The ADA requires businesses that are open to the public, government entities and others to provide access to people with disabilities. This article will explore some of these services and how they work.
Reasonable Accommodations
Often, people with disabilities need reasonable accommodations to apply for a job, do their jobs and enjoy equal benefits as other employees. Accommodations can be changes in the way things are normally done, such as scheduling an interview in an accessible location for a wheelchair user or making an exception to the no food and drinks in the workplace rule for someone with diabetes who needs to snack regularly to manage their condition.
During the interactive process, an employer should carefully consider each request. While they are not required to make a particular accommodation, the law allows them to make changes to rules, policies or practices unless doing so would cause undue hardship, defined as significant difficulty or expense.
The interactive process also helps a person with a disability understand what barriers they are experiencing and may spark ideas for the type of accommodation that could help. It is important that the initial dialogue around the accommodation is focused on the barrier and not on the person's disability or the underlying issue.
Services for People with Developmental Disabilities
People with disabilities can receive a wide range of services to help them lead healthy and productive lives. These include home care and respite services, adult classroom education programs, vocational training and employment support services, mental health counseling, and more.
Many of these disability services are governed by state laws and have specific eligibility criteria that must be met. OPWDD's service providers and regional family support planning councils can assist in finding these programs for those who meet the requirements.
In addition, a number of disability transportation services are available to help individuals with mobility challenges. These include access-a-ride, which offers door-to-door transportation for residents in New York City; and statewide transportation programs such as NY Accessible Rides and the STAR Program. Moreover, healthcare advocacy organizations can help individuals with disabilities navigate their medical insurance and understand their rights. They can also connect them to community resources, including housing, childcare, and transportation. Lastly, counseling and information/referral programs can help families of individuals with developmental disabilities resolve issues.
Healthcare Advocacy
Living with a disability often requires coordination between multiple healthcare specialists, therapists, and support services. Your advocate acts as a central coordinator, ensuring all providers share a complete understanding of your condition and work toward consistent goals. They organize medical records into an accessible format, streamline overlapping therapy recommendations, and manage complex insurance paperwork and denials.
Finding and funding appropriate assistive technologies is challenging for many people with disabilities. Your advocate researches the best equipment for your specific disability type, functionality needs and preferences and locates available resources outside of traditional insurance, including specialized grants and equipment loan programs.
You can help create a more inclusive world by supporting the disability advocacy movement. Suggest improved accessibility for your local community spaces, speak up when you see insensitive or discriminatory attitudes towards disability, and volunteer at an organization that provides direct disability support. These small steps go a long way in creating more inclusive communities.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you have a disability, you may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. These programs can help you prepare for, find, regain or keep employment. These services can include training, education, counseling, job coaching, and assistive technology.
During a face-to-face meeting, your VR counselor will work with you to determine your eligibility for services and develop an Individualized Plan for Employment. This will list your agreed upon employment goals and the services you need to reach them.
This is a one-of-a-kind program that gives you access to specialized training and resources you need to succeed in the workforce. It focuses on helping people with disabilities build a strong career, live independently and reduce their reliance on entitlements. OPWDD also offers workshops to educate people on reasonable accommodations and other laws that protect them in the workplace. These are no-cost workshops that provide valuable information to help you in your search for employment.
