Sometimes examples of this work being done can help solidify these best practices. This resource is a case study of job site training that highlights an employment specialist using these best practices.    

Learn more about increasing employment for individuals with IDD. The document shares findings that support state agencies, providers, advocates, individuals and families to make the philosophy of Employment First a reality.

VR providers may refer to this document to ensure all of the procedures described are implemented with fidelity for every consumer seeking CIE. Additionally, VR providers may refer to the 'New Customer Checklist" resource listed below for a 16-step process to follow when meeting with a new customer.

Policymakers, researchers, and state vocational rehabilitation administrators are interested in the long-term outcomes of individuals in public rehabilitation programs. This article addresses the research gap by reviewing 139 records of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, focusing on job retention and service delivery practices for success in competitive integrated employment.

Educators, such as teachers and school counselors, play an essential role in the direct instruction of self-advocacy at school. Educators are in a position to equip students with disabilities with the tools, knowledge, and skills to make decisions, understand their rights, and communicate their strengths, interests, and needs. This information brief discusses how to enhance these self-advocacy skills. 

Having the belief that everyone can work is essential. Often times people with disabilities who display challenging behaviors are quick to be dismissed as unemployable. This resource provides great tips for employment specialists when addressing challenging behaviors. The resource discusses common myths and facts about these behaviors. 

Family and Consumer Handbooks are an informative way for a Service Provider to share information about their organization and best practices of Supported Employment. Learn more about how to create your very own!

Review funding approaches that support job-seeker directed employment outcomes for competitive integrated employment. Full-page resource that outline indicators and best practices of supportive funding approaches.

It is crucial for VR Professionals to use best practices when providing supports on the job. This resource discusses best practices for employment specialists regarding job site training. The resource provides a lot of helpful and insightful information to help in your success as a VR Professional. 

Establishing long term supports is a crucial piece in ensuring success on the job. In this PowerPoint presentation it discusses the importance of establishing long term supports and how to go about doing so. Here is a transcript of the presentation from It previously being presented by Vicki Brooke from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

The “New Costumer Checklist” is a worksheet that outlines 16 suggested steps for an employment specialist to follow when meeting a new costumer.

This resource is a webinar by Dr. Paul Wehman where he discusses the Nine Major Threats to Competitive Integrated Employment. These are incredibly helpful tips for anyone that is providing employment services to people with disabilities.  

This plain language article is a summary of a scientific research article where strategies were identified to help students with severe disabilities be successful during work experiences. 

Competitive integrated employment (CIE) has not been the work outcome for many people with significant disabilities. There are many beliefs like employment is only possible in specialized settings and programs, along with reported barriers to CIE including difficulty identifying businesses that will hire workers with significant disabilities, limited transportation, limited funding, and a fear of losing benefits. This Q&A information brief provides great insight.

This infographic discusses how understanding the strengths and abilities of students with disabilities is an essential component of planning for students transition to competitive integrated employment.  

Review the five components of the job seeker's responsive employment process for youth with significant disabilities.

As an Employment Specialist, your role is to assist individuals with disabilities find and maintain employment. Learn more about how to best support individual seeking competitive integrated employment.

This infographic gives staff working with people with disabilities guidance on how to interact with employers to help lead to successful employment outcomes.