TRANSITIONS GUIDE HOMEPAGE
I Want to Find Meaningful Work for My Child with Special Needs
My child is in high school
Check with your school district.
Many school districts have programs that offer job coaching, internships, and job placement services for students with special needs. Every district has different programs and systems in place, so it is important to talk to your child’s teacher or contact student services for your school district to learn more about what opportunities are available.
1.)
Explore vocational rehabilitation services
Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services are designed to help individuals with special needs prepare for and find employment. Your first step in supporting your child in finding meaningful work is to apply for services through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). OOD is the state VR agency for Ohio. They offer support services for students aged 14+ and can be a great resource throughout your child's entire journey to finding meaningful work. For more information or to download an application for services, visit this link.
Video on how to apply for services: Getting Students 14+ Started with OOD
Once a student turns 14, they can receive guidance from OOD surrounding career exploration, job coaching, paid work experiences, guidance on how employment can impact disability benefits, among other transition related topics.
2.)
Locate and enroll with your Local Board of Developmental Disabilities Hamilton County DDS.
Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) is a government social services agency established by state law. For more than 50 years, HCDDS has provided educational, vocational, and residential support and services to thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). To get started, call the Introduction and Eligibility Department at (513) 559-6990 or click the button below to fill out the eligibility form.
3.)
Hamilton County DDS offers lifelong support for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Once enrolled, they can connect you to providers, resources, and funding sources to achieve your child's goals. They help with the following:
Funding
Job Applications
Transportation
Accessibility and Accommodations
All Ohio Board of Developmental Disabilities use a statewide service plan, the Ohio ISP. This assessment and plan is used with all people who receive developmental disability services. The format is the same no matter where you reside in Ohio, so if you move, the planning process will be the same regardless of what county you live in or what providers you choose.
Look for summer employment/ vocational skill building programs.
Many organizations offer summer employment programs for high school students with special needs. These programs can provide job training, work experience, and other types of guidance surrounding employment.
4.)
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Summer Youth Employment Program: provides jobs and year-round job readiness training for Hamilton County residents ages 14-21. We want to help young people in Hamilton County find work, explore careers and remove barriers to create a clear path to more education or a career.
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Summer CEES: CEES Summer is a 6-week community-integrated summer program for high school students with IEPs, ages 14-22. Students will engage in internships, social curriculum, STEM curriculum, and will be supported with “near peer” staffing on campus at the University of Cincinnati.
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Project LIFE: Project LIFE gives students increased independence, self- determination, social and communication skills, community integration, competitive employment, and relevant life skills.
Consider volunteering
Volunteering can be a great way for high school students with special needs to gain work experience, build their resume, and network with potential employers.
This volunteer planning guide can be especially helpful to use when finding volunteering opportunities that are specific to the needs and interests of your child with special needs!
5.)
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Matthew 25 Ministries offers a sensory-friendly room for volunteers to donate their time
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Ronald McDonald House Charities, this is great for families to volunteer at together!
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Hopes Closet is great for building fine and gross motor skills.
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Habitat for Humanity is another great volunteer opportunity to grow fine and gross motor skills. They allow volunteers to group together and complete projects together--> this can give your child the opportunity to practice workplace communications with people who they are comfortable with.
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Cincinnati Nature Center has a large number of volunteer opportunities for teens!
Genesis At work tip
Connect with your child’s teachers, doctors, therapists, or other professionals to identify what types of volunteer work can help your child to reach their goals. Think of volunteering as a way for your child to translate/practice what they are learning in school or in therapy to real work life situations!
Attend your school district's transition fairs.
Transition fairs provide students and families with comprehensive information about Vocational Rehabilitation programs and job support. During a transition fair, families and students have the opportunity to talk to different programs and ask any questions.
6.)
My child graduated from school
Connect with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).
OOD is Ohio’s vocational rehabilitation agency. They offer a wide range of job-related services for people with special needs and are a great place to start when looking for a job! They can connect you and your child to local providers for vocational rehabilitation services.
1.)
Genesis At work tip
If you have concerns about services being provided by OOD, the Client Assistance Program through Disability Rights Ohio can:
Provide information about VR services
Advocate if you
Have been turned down for VR services
Have concerns about your rehabilitation counselor
Are not satisfied with the VR services you are receiving
Do not agree with a decision close to your case
Have other problems with VR services
It is important to remember that if you feel as though you and your child are not being served in a way that you feel is appropriate, then you have the right to find another provider.
Helpful State and Local Support Agencies
Ohio means jobs is a free employment resource that connects job seekers and employers. It offers job listings, career tools, training resources, and personalized assistance to help individuals find meaningful employment.
2.) Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS)
Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) is a government social services agency established by state law. For more than 50 years, HCDDS has provided educational, vocational, and residential support and services to thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). To get started, call the Introduction and Eligibility Department at (513) 559-6990 or click the button below to fill out the eligibility form. They help with the following:
Funding
Job Applications
Transportation
Accessibility and Accommodations
Consider alternative methods for finding employment.
If you and your child were unsuccessful with finding meaningful work through traditional methods or through supported employment, there are other options.
2.)
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Customized employment (CE) is a universal employment strategy that is especially useful for employment seekers with significant life complexities and barriers to employment, such as a severe disability. CE strategies result in competitive, integrated employment that is based on a determination of the strengths, needs, and interests of the employment seeker.
Genesis at Work offers free customized employment services, and we are NOT an OOD provider
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Self-employment offers employment flexibility for individuals with special needs that cannot be found when working for someone else. This could be a great option for your child if traditional methods of finding employment, supported employment or customized employment didn’t fit! Some benefits of self-employment include flexibility, control, financial independence, access to work, and lower stress.
Use online job search platforms.
There are many online job search platforms that cater specifically to individuals with special needs. These platforms often list job opportunities that are accessible and inclusive for people with special needs.
3.)
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Ohio Means Jobs is a free employment resource that connects job seekers and employers.
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Network!
Engage with local businesses and organizations to talk about job opportunities for your child. Employers may be hesitant to hire individuals with special needs due to misconceptions and lack of understanding. By sharing your story, you can help to educate and break down these barriers.
4.)
GENESIS AT WORK TIP
You can use the connections you already have to help find your child meaningful work! Talk with your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family. You never know what doors can open by asking the people who are close to you.
Identify support and advocate for your child.
5.)
Genesis At work tip
If you feel like you have been discriminated against by your employer, your first step should be to connect with a disability rights organization.
Have a designated team of professionals, friends, and family members in place who you can rely on for help or support when advocating for your child within the workplace.
Help improve this guide! We want this resource to be as useful as possible for our community. If you have ideas to improve this guide, questions about how to use it, or any other feedback, please let us know.
