Search for organizations that train, place and support job seekers with disabilities, and search for disability owned businesses. Learn more.
DONKA, INC.
COMPUTER TRAINING: Donka, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides computer training, assistive technology training and job readiness services to persons with physical, visual, and limited learning disabilities. By learning to access and operate a computer with assistive technology, our students become more independent and self-sufficient at work, school, and home.
JOB PLACEMENT: We work with candidates to identify skills and capabilities, define job search, discover employment interest. Donka helps job seekers overcome the barriers to employment – connecting to transportation resources, housing resources, mental health resources, and provides weekly meetings to address all issues.
Donka, Inc.
Donka, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides computer training and job readiness services to persons with physical, visual and limited learning disabilities. Through use of computers and assistive technology, our clients become more self-sufficient and independent members of the community.
Computer Training
Donka’s signature computer training program uses cutting-edge assistive technology to train students in Microsoft Office and other business applications that will help them meet their individualized goals of help with school work, employment and/or independent computer usage.
Donka was founded in 1987 by Don Van Haveren, a retired Wheaton businessman, who became friends with residents of the DuPage Convalescent Center where he volunteered. He believed that computer training was the way to increase opportunities for people limited by disabilities. Don’s vision has grown into the only program in the Chicago area that provides free computer training as a means of education leading to employment, and human service leading to more independent living. Many Donka clients are reaching goals they never thought possible.
“I named it DONKA (thank you in Dutch and German) in honor of the thanks I give for Don-Williethe opportunity to work with these extraordinary people who teach me so much each day.”
Founder Don Van Haveren
(1924-1993)
Department of General Services, West Sacramento CA.
The Department of General Services (DGS) is a state government agency located in West Sacramento and provides many services throughout the state of California. DGS is committed to providing excellence in the business of government and takes pride in being an equal opportunity employer.
The Department of General Services acts as the business manager for the state of California. DGS helps state government better serve the public by providing services to state agencies including procurement and acquisition solutions, real estate management, leasing and design services, environmentally friendly transportation, and architectural oversight and funding for the construction of safe schools, and much more!
DGS is an organization with a culture that centers on our employees, vision, and values with accountable management dedicated to staff and public service.
DGS offers great compensation opportunities and full benefits, job security and flexibility, generous paid time off, flexible work schedules, and opportunity for career advancement and upward mobility, health, dental & vision insurance for the entire family, and an excellent pension plan!
The Recruitment team at DGS can assist candidates with aligning their skills, interests, and experience with the right job opportunity.
If you are interested in state employment opportunities in California, visit https://jobs.ca.gov/ or contact our recruiters at [email protected] with any questions.
With 18 lines of business, DGS has an opportunity for you!
Equability
Equability is a clothing adaptation service for people with disabilities.
We don't make any of our own clothes, we take existing clothes like button-down shirts or jeans and use materials like magnets, snap buttons, and Velcro to make them easier to wear.
Our mission is simple: change clothes, so people don't have to. We want to adapt clothes so no one has to change their lifestyle or clothing style because of their abilities.
BufferSprings
BufferSprings is a Boston-based consulting and training firm founded in 2021. We are proud to be 100% service-disabled veteran-owned and operated.
Our team is passionate about connecting our corporate partners with the top talent in the greater veteran-connected community. But, more importantly, we are a mission-driven company with big goals to shake up a very stagnant industry.
Partner Collaboration:
We are your long-term partner in veteran hiring. We want to help you design and implement effective and sustainable military programs focused on retention and community engagement.
Community Engagement:
We partner with local and national organizations obsessed with empowering the military-connected community. These community partners are the backbone of our Community Immersion Program.
Veteran Community Building:
Whether you’re still on active duty, just transitioned, or have been out for many years, we’re in your corner. Our community offers you training, mentorship, industry connections, and employment opportunities.
Market Innovation:
The conversation around veteran hiring shouldn’t be limited to attending job fairs and ad impressions. Instead, we create innovative and comprehensive solutions designed to truly move the needle in veteran recruiting and retention.
Alpha Behavior Strategies
Alpha Behaviors is a company in Denver, CO that helps teach adults and adolecents with special needs as well as vetrans be more self-sufficent. Or anyone that feels like they are stuck in a rut career wise and want to shake things up! Below are some of the services they provide and some of these can be at no cost to you if you fit the requiremenents.
-Assessments
-Job exploration
-Transportation
-Job preperation
-Home Skills
-Job coaching
BioScan Tek
BioScan Tek, Inc., a FIRM System partner, is based in Wheaton, IL. We provide both mobile and on location livescan fingerprinting, background checks and photography. We can do a small training class, large group class or individuals. We also offer Child Safety ID kits with your child's infomation on a CD or USB Flash drive for you to secure.
We began offering services at our company headquarters in Wheaton, IL in 2012 and are now offering livescan fingerprinting and photo services in cities throughout Illinois.
Our staff is comprised of a knowledgeable, experienced and caring group of people focused on providing the best experience possible for our customers.
You can trust that our staff of professionals will offer you a great service at a fair price.
The Chicago Lighthouse
The Chicago Lighthouse is a world-renowned social service organization serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled and Veteran communities. Recognized as a pioneer in innovation since 1906, The Chicago Lighthouse provides vision rehabilitation services, education, employment opportunities and assistive technology for people of all ages.
We help our clients build valuable skills, reach professional goals and develop strategies for career advancement, while helping employers implement practices that are inclusive of people with disabilities.
Our social enterprises provide meaningful career opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment, while earning revenues to supplement Chicago Lighthouse programs and services.
Our education programs help children and students learn to meet developmental and educational milestones, build supportive relationships, and fully participate in their communities.
We help our clients maximize independent functioning through programs that build confidence, provide social interaction and teach lessons in daily living.
Our team of specialists provides access to cutting-edge technology, assistive devices and independent living aids to help individuals with visual impairments live life to the fullest.
Our vision care services are designed to nurture and empower patients at every stage of vision loss. We strive to create a warm therapeutic relationship between our patients and practitioners.
Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Vision: To end veteran homelessness so that no person who has defended our homes goes without a home.
Values: Compassion, Dedication, Integrity, Responsibility, Welcoming, "Can-Do" Attitude, and Individualized Care
Our Mission
To empower at-risk veterans, and their families, to become self-sufficient, productive members of their communities.
ITKAN
ITKAN is a member-driven professional networking and growth organization with a focus on professionals and aspiring professionals with disabilities within the technology field!
ITKAN is affiliated with the Illinois Technology Foundation – the not-for-profit academic arm of the Illinois Technology Association. We meet face-to-face on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 5-7PM CST at the Microsoft Technology Center in Chicago. Contact Pat Maher at for more information.
Mission: Developing Professionals with Disabilities into Passionate Technology Leaders to Support the Aggressive Adoption of Deep Diversity™
Commitment: Our Members Commit to Support the Mission of ITKAN through their active Participation in monthly meetings, Service on one of our Core Committees (Membership, Communications, Development), and Active Evangelism of Deep Diversity – the Adoption by the Business Community of a Culture of Support for Disability as a Strategic Factor of Diversity in the Workplace.
Aspiration: ITKAN will become the Provider of Choice to the Technology Community for Leading Professionals with Disabilities into focused, high-demand technology support skill sets. Further, ITKAN will be respected as an expert on the interface of Assistive Technology with traditional and evolving UI’s such as mobile devices.
Follow us on Twitter @ITKAN_Chicago and join our LinkedIn group!
