Search for organizations that train, place and support job seekers with disabilities, and search for disability owned businesses. Learn more.
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.
The College Internship Program
The College Internship Program or CIP is a comprehensive transition program for young adults age 18-26 with autism and other learning differences. CIP supports students as they transition to college and the workplace with locations in Indiana, Massachusetts, Florida, Northern and Southern California.
All students have internships or jobs and live independently in apartments. Students also receive a variety of support in areas including Individual Therapy; Advising; Tutorials; Social Skills and Social Mentoring; Relationship Development Groups; Sensory Integration; Wellness; Executive Functioning; Residential support; career supports, recreational programming, etc. CIP welcomes part-time and full-time employment opportunities for their students and alumni around the country.
Please visit www.cipworldwide.org or call 877-566-9247 for more information.
Vocational Rehabilitation Service - Edward Hines Junior VA Hospital
VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VR) is a program designed to support Veterans in finding and keeping employment within their community.
VR is made up of three programs:
Supported Employment (SE): SE is the highest level of care within VR. SE is an individualized, long-term program to help Veterans find and keep a permanent job within their community. SE is structured to support Veterans who struggle with barriers related to mental illness or severe disabilities such as psychosis, brain injury, spinal cord injury, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Veterans with other chronic and/or serious conditions may request SE if they require long-term employment supports.
Transitional Work (TW): TW is a time-limited program that allows Veterans to gain work experience for up to six months while working to find a permanent job. Veterans who do not meet criteria for SE may be more appropriate for TW. TW is for Veterans with limited or unstable work histories due to disability, mental health conditions, homelessness, or substance abuse.
Community-Based Employment Services (CBES): CBES is an individualized, short-term program to help Veterans find a permanent job within their community. CBES is structured for Veterans who do not meet the criteria for SE or TW, but who are currently unemployed or underemployed, and need help in securing employment.
Anderson County Disabilities and Special Needs Board
The Walgreens Employment Project is an integral part of the Walgreens Initiative designed to offer people with disabilities a hands-on training environment to prepare them for potential employment at the Walgreens Distribution Center.
The training program is free for those who qualify for services with one of the agency partners. While it does not guarantee someone a job at Walgreens, it does give them the necessary skills and training to help them successfully compete for employment.
What does the training process involve?
The training program is composed of three areas: Workstation Concepts, Soft Skills Curriculum and Productivity.
Workstation Concepts: Training is done on simulated workstations on three specific jobs: Case Check In, Detrash and AKL. The trainee is taught the essential job functions for that workstation, according to the training manual, and is expected to demonstrate the ability to perform all tasks involved.
Soft Skills: The Soft Skills curriculum is an eleven module training course that covers social skills as relates to the work environment.
Topics in the curriculum include:
Being a Team Player, Following Directions and Responding to Positive and Constructive Feedback.
Productivity: Trainees are expected to demonstrate an ability to meet the productivity rate required for the particular workstation they train on. Rate is measured through a series of time trials which helps trainers assess whether or not the trainee would be able to maintain rate on the job.
Job Accommodation Network
Ask JAN – We Can Help
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. Serving customers across the United States and around the world for more than 35 years, JAN provides free one-on-one practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities. JAN provides individualized consultation to assist:
- Employers and their representatives seeking guidance on practical ways to engage in the interactive process, provide job accommodation solutions, and comply with Title I of the ADA;
- Individuals with medical conditions and disabilities seeking information about job accommodation solutions, employment rights under the ADA, and self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities; and
- Family members and rehabilitation, medical, educational, and other professionals in their effort to support successful employment outcomes for individuals with medical conditions and disabilities.
Ask JAN! We can help. JAN consultants and employment specialists are highly qualified and experienced thought leaders and innovators on disability employment issues. By providing trusted guidance on the ADA and practical accommodation solutions that benefit employers and individuals with medical conditions and disabilities, JAN helps everyone recognize the value and talents that qualified workers with disabilities add to the workforce.
For detailed information about the services JAN provides, see our Frequently Asked Questions and view JAN is here for YOU!
JAN services are available 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.
Please direct general inquiries to [email protected] or use the JAN on Demand option to receive practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation. Inquiries are routed to JAN staff who will respond in a timely manner.
To receive the JAN Newsletter & Updates, email [email protected].
JAN Social Networks
Synapse House
Synapse House is a Clubhouse model program for survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury and stroke. We offer cognitive, social, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation services with a focus on wellness, acceptance and commitment to being the best that we can be. Our mission is engage, empower and employ.
We have a social enterprise business, Flour to Empower, which is a bakery and candy making business that employs members and allows them to obtain a food handler card and work together with skill and dedication. We are one of the few programs serving this population and have recently acquired a contract with the Division of Rehabilitation Services to provide Supported Employment Program services.
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.
Clearbrook
Clearbrook is committed to being a leader in creating innovative opportunities, services and supports for people with disabilities. With a staff of 900+ and more than 50 locations across Chicagoland, Clearbrook is proud to report that 92 percent of every dollar raised goes directly into our programs and services.
What began modestly as a small group of parents in Rolling Meadows hoping to establish a “school for their special needs children” has expanded significantly to reflect the current needs of families with children diagnosed with developmental delays, as well as adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, most notably those with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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CLEARBROOK TODAY
We serve people over a range of ages and disabilities from children diagnosed with developmental delays at birth to the unique needs of seniors with disabilities and all ages in between.
Quick Facts
- Supports over 8,000 individuals and their families annually
- Serves 15 counties in over 160 communities in Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Illinois.
- Provides services at over 50 locations.
- Employs over 900 full-and part-time staff.
- Is the largest provider in the state of Illinois of home-based services.
- Has an administrative overhead of 8% – well below the industry standard of 15-25%.
- Is licensed, certified and/or accredited by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Public Health, SourceAmerica and the US Department of Labor.
- Receives approximately 70% of our funding from the government.
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!
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.
