Look Into Job Opportunities With The Federal Government As An Employee Or Contractor
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management offers two programs to students based on their educational attainment. The Recent Graduates Program is open to those who have graduated within the past two years from a qualifying educational institution or certificate program, or, for veterans, whose schooling is interrupted by military service obligation, up to six years following graduation. The Presidential Management Fellowship is open to recent graduates with an advanced degree either a professional or graduate degree such as a masters, Ph.D., or J.D.
Veterans may receive appointment to federal jobs through Veterans Recruitment Appointment, the 30% or More Disabled Veterans Program and Veterans Employment Opportunity Act appointments. Veterans also may receive vocational rehabilitation services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a host of other programs including many for job seekers and entrepreneurs. The Transition Assistance Program for example provides information, tools, and training to ensure service members and their spouses are prepared for the next step in civilian life.
The term mental retardation is used instead of cognitive disability, developmental disability, or intellectual disability, because its the official terminology used in the authorized Executive Order 12215, dated March 15, 1979.
Office Of Personnel Management Guidelines
The federal government has a special ) appointing authority for persons with qualifying Intellectual Disabilities, Severe Physical Disabilities, or Psychiatric Disabilities. Disabled veterans may also be considered under special hiring programs for disabled veterans with disability ratings from the Department of Veterans Affairs of 30% or more.
Federal agencies fill positions two ways, competitively and non-competitively. Persons with disabilities may apply for jobs filled either way. All persons who are selected for positions must meet the qualification requirements for the jobs and be able to perform the essential duties of the jobs with or without reasonable accommodation.
Opportunities For People With Disabilities
The U.S. Agency for International Development is committed to recruiting and employing qualified people with all types of disabilities for suitable jobs.
On July 26, 2010, the President signed Executive Order 13548, which provides that the Federal Government, as the Nations largest employer, must become a model for employment of individuals with disabilities. The order directs Executive departments and agencies to improve their efforts to employ Federal workers with disabilities and targeted disabilities through increased recruitment, hiring, and retention of these individuals. As a federal employer, the U.S. Agency for International Development has an obligation to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities.
If you meet any of the qualifying disabilities outlined in the Standard Form 256, you may be qualified for a non-competitive appointment to the federal government under the Schedule A Hiring Authority.
Please email your resume, Schedule A letter, and any other pertainent documents to to be considered under the Schedule A Hiring Authority for USAID vacancies that may not be posted on USAJobs.gov. **Please be certain to identify job or position titles for which you have experience or would like to be considered in order for the Disability Employment Program Manager to properly process your application.**
Connect with us at , and to learn more about our opportunities and engage with us at national outreach events.
Contact information:
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Government Jobs That Help The Disabled Find Work
Helping intellectually and physically disabled individuals find employment can be a meaningful and rewarding career. To assist disabled individuals in finding employment, state and federal government bodies often employ state workers to assist in job placement efforts for the disabled. If interested in this line of work, it is essential to know the different types of government jobs available for helping to employ the disabled.
Section 503 Of The Rehabilitation Act Of 1973
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities and requires employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain such individuals.
Recent Changes
On August 27, 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced a Final Rule making changes to the regulations implementing Section 503. The Final Rule strengthens the affirmative action provisions of the regulations and aids contractors in their efforts to recruit and hire and improve job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The Final Rule, which went into effect on March 24, 2014, was published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2013:
- Establishes a 7% utilization goal for individuals with disabilities
- Requires covered contractors to invite applicants and current employees to voluntarily self-identify as an individual with a disability and
- Requires contractors to maintain several quantitative measurements and comparisons for the number of individuals with disabilities who apply for jobs and the number of individual with disabilities they hire in order to create greater accountability for employment decisions and practices.
Finding Federal Contractors
Resource: Step-by-Step Guide to Locating Federal Contractors on the Federal Procurement Data System
Resource: User’s Guide to Locating Federal Contractors on USASpending.gov
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Information For Persons With Disabilities
As a result of Executive Order 13548, the federal government is actively increasing efforts to recruit and hire individuals with disabilities for all levels and occupations. As an individual with a disability, you have access to specific programs and hiring authorities that can assist you in securing federal employment.
Schedule A Hiring Authority for Individuals with Disabilities
Schedule A is a hiring authority that streamlines and speeds up the hiring process for applicants with disabilities who match the skills and abilities required for the position. While Schedule A does not guarantee employment, it is to your advantage to ensure the hiring agency is aware that you are Schedule A eligible.
Eligibility for Schedule A
To receive a Schedule A appointment, you must:
- Be minimally qualified for the job you are applying to
- Have documentation of disability
Documentation of disabilitycan be satisfied with a simple letter stating that you have a disability from your doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed rehabilitation professional, or any entity that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter does not need to detail your disability, medical history or need for an accommodation. Unsure if you qualify as an individual with a disability? Find out more here.
Applying with Schedule A
Disclosure by Individuals with Disabilities
Accomodations
Workforce Recruitment Program for Students
Related Resources
What Are The Benefits For The Hiring Manager
- Provides the manager with a skilled, motivated employee who can be converted, without competition, to a permanent position in the competitive civil service after completing 2 years on the job and demonstrating satisfactory performance .
- It can also be a fast track way for managers to bring in talented individuals with disabilities. Individuals may be appointed under these authorities without public notice.
- Ensures that the opportunities for Government service are open to everyone.
For other Website resources visit Office of Personnel Management Website
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Applicable Laws Regarding Disabilities In The Workplace
Employment discrimination based on disability is prohibited by the Canadian Human Rights Act. Disabilities recognized under the Act include physical, cognitive, and learning disabilities, as well as mental health issues. Federally regulated employers have a duty to accommodate employees with such disabilities, unless doing so imposes undue hardship on the employer.
Accommodations can include things like changing a workspace to make it more accessible to those in wheelchairs, acquiring screen-reading software for those with visual impairments, or adapting the hours of work for employees with anxiety disorders. The point of such accommodations is to make it possible for people with disabilities to function effectively in the workplace. You can talk to your employer about the changes that could be made to meet your needs.
Additionally, the Accessible Canada Act that was passed in 2019 requires public-sector organizations to remove barriers and hire more people with disabilities.
Jobs For People With Mental Health Challenges
Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia can interfere with a person’s day-to-day functioning. Roughly seven percent of Canadian adults report mental health-related disabilities that affect their daily activities. But many people with these conditions still carve out successful careers. Take a look at these jobs for people with disabilities related to mental health:
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Marketing And Market Research
If you live with a disability, then you have the potential to offer a lot of useful insights to companies and other organizations that want their brands, products, and services to connect with people like you. The marketing industry is full of ways to use your creativity or analytical abilities.
Average salaries:
Take A Confident Step Forward
Jobs for people with disabilities are widespread. So take action toward securing the kind of career you want. Plenty of convenient training options exist, and they’re easy to find. Simply enter your zip code into the following school finder to quickly generate a list of nearby schools that can help you!
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Plus 8 Tips On How To Find The Job You Want
Good jobs for people with disabilities are possible to find. No matter what type of disability you might have, you can discover the satisfaction that often comes from realizingand usingyour strongest abilities and skills.
Besides, more and more organizations are now actively creating jobs for disabled people. In fact, great opportunities can be found within nearly every industry. The government, healthcare, technology, and financial sectors, in particular, are increasingly becoming more welcoming to those who are physically or mentally challenged.
In this article:
Data on the prevalence of disabilities is based on the 2019 version of the Annual Disability Statistics Compendium. Average annual salaries are based on 2019 estimates from the Occupational Employment Statistics program.
Teaching And Early Childhood Education
Young people are curious and always looking for new sources of inspiration. As a person who is blind or has impaired vision, you can bring your distinctive insights to the classroom or playground, which can challenge students’ imaginations and inspire them to grow.
Average salaries:
- Producers in the music recording industry: $95,390
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Can Organizations Apply For Grants From The Office Of Disability Employment Policy
In support of its goal to increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, ODEP does award grants on a competitive basis to non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, and academic institutions. When such grants become available, they are published in the Federal Register and on ODEP’s website. More information about ODEP’s current and past grants can be found on ODEP’s Grants webpage. Information about a wide range of grants from various federal agencies can be found on Grants.gov.
Good Jobs For People With Learning Disabilities
This category sometimes gets overlooked, maybe because the different types of learning disabilities are so diverse. After all, one person might have imperfect reading, writing, or spelling abilities, whereas another person may have difficulty with using numbers, speaking, thinking, or listening. Even problems with memory, time management, and organization are sometimes considered learning disabilities.
So well-known conditions such as dyslexia and ADHD are only two of the many possible learning disabilities that can make it challenging to build a successful career. But you don’t have to be held back by your challenges. Some of humanity’s greatest contributorssuch as Leonardo da Vinci and Albert Einsteinmay have had learning disabilities.
Although you might have challenges in one area, you may have real strengths and talents in another. For example, many people with at least one learning disability have valuable traits such as resilience, empathy, or creativity. Others seem to have a natural ability to speak in public or see the bigger picture. That’s why a lot of the careers that have already been mentioned are often good jobs for people with learning disabilities. Here are a few other possibilities to consider:
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Documents You May Need
Claiming veterans’ preference
When claiming veterans preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other acceptable documentation. Applicants claiming 10-point preference will need to submit Form SF-15, or other acceptable documentation.
As A Person With A Disability Do I Have To Apply Only As A Schedule A Applicant
No, how you apply is completely up to you. Schedule A applicants may apply for a vacancy in the following ways:
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Resources For Job Seekers And Employers
There are many websites on which employers can post job openings and search for qualified candidates to fill positions and that job seekers use to search for employers. Below you will find a listing of job search engines and website you may find helpful when looking for qualified job candidates. You can also print and use the directory document included on this page. Check back frequently for updated entries and additions to these lists.
Resource: Job Banks and Posting Services: Resources for Service Providers and Employers
Assistive Technology Resources
Assistive Technology Connects: AT Connects is a Federally-funded information platform designed to inform users, purchasers, family members and professionals about assistive technology.
AbleData: AbleData provides information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources for use within the United States.
Federal Communications Commission Disability Rights Office: The FCC Disability Rights Office provides information and access to the Telecommunications Relay Service for communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Federal Relay Service: The U.S. General Services Administration operates the free Federal relay service for communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
U.S. Department of Labor Resources
Information on Labor Force Participation Rate and the Unemployment Rate:
Federal Internship Program For Canadians With Disabilities
The Federal Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities is a national program that offers internships to Canadians with disabilities. Interns will have the opportunity to develop their work skills and increase their employability.
This program will offer 2-year internship opportunities in the federal public service to 125 persons with disabilities between 2019 and 2024. The program works with the Canadian Association of Supported Employment and employment agencies across the country to identify candidates.
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Get Clear About Your Goals
Too often, people with disabilities fall into the trap of being willing to take any jobs that they can get. They don’t seek out specific job opportunities, and they exude an ambivalent attitude about their ambitions. But potential employers want to see that you have genuine enthusiasm about a particular line of work.
So it’s essential that you get serious about narrowing down what you really want to do. Even if you can’t narrow it down to a specific career, see if you can figure out which skills you want to use or develop. Having more well-defined goals shows potential employers that you truly care about making a contribution.
Federal Government Internships For Students With Disabilities
In 2017, UMUC is pleased to once again participate in the Workforce Recruitment Program . The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities for summer or permanent jobs. Most of these opportunities are usually paid between GS-5 through GS-11, although the salary depends on the agency. Agencies across the government participate in this program including the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and Department of Treasury. Most of these opportunities are internships located in the greater Washington, D.C. area, but WRP interns have been hired in nearly 40 states and on military bases in Germany.
Eligibility CriteriaTo participate in the WRP, applicants must:
- Be eligible for hiring under the Schedule A Hiring Authority.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be a current, full-time, degree-seeking, post-secondary student OR have graduated from such an institution within the past year .
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to ensure competitiveness for the program.
- A licensed medical professional or other entity .
- A licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist .
- Any agency that issues or provides disability benefits.
You can access a sample Schedule A Letter in the Resources section of the WRP website.
Seeking a cybersecurity internship with the Department of Defense through the WRP Program.
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What Is Section 508 Of The Rehabilitation Act
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained or used by the federal government must be accessible to people with disabilities, unless it would pose an undue burden to do so. This relates to both employees of federal agencies and customers of federal agencies who use information technology devices to access government information and interact with government agencies. Comprehensive information about Section 508 can be found on the Section 508 website maintained by the General Services Administration .
