Resources for Job Seekers

Employment First Massachusetts promotes inclusive employment in Massachusetts. You will find resources about community work, including practical guidelines, an overview of employment history, and stories of people with disabilities who are thriving in community-based careers.

From the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, an article that examines how to increase the number of employed people with disabilities, while reducing the cost of services they require to succeed. It overviews several studies that have displayed different effective strategies in increasing employment.

A comprehensive practical approach to looking for a job as a person with a disability (Available in Spanish). Walks potential employees through identifying the right kind of job, conducting the job search, preparing for the job interview and strategies for success at your new job.

These tips for workers with disabilities in getting hired come from Massachusetts’ One-Stop Career Centers.

An employment guide for employers and employees with Down syndrome and other disabilities from the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).

Comprehensive guidelines for drafting an effective cover letter, including writing tips, formatting tips, and a cover letter checklist.

A comprehensive overview outlining important information to include on a resume.

This presentation on planning for employment will focus on home-school-community collaboration during a pandemic for youth receiving IEP services aged 14–22 years old. In our increasingly complex and demanding world, most youth are at least a little stressed out by the prospect of finding and keeping a job they love. For youth with disabilities, the […]

Gives a general overview of the rules for Social Security work incentives for Massachusetts in effect. Depending on circumstances, Social Security uses several different financial limits to make its decisions.

Benefits Counseling is a part of the Statewide Employment Services (SES) programs which provide support to help people with severe disabilities choose, get, and maintain a career.

The Work Without Limits Benefits Counseling program specializes in assisting individuals to understand how earned income (e.g., from work and self-employment) and unearned income (e.g., gifts, inheritances, lottery winnings, grants, guaranteed income) may affect public benefits

This document explains what an overpayment is, why an overpayment happens, what to do if you have been overpaid, and how to avoid overpayments. The Disability Law Center (DLC) created this document for people with disabilities to learn about your rights and how to advocate for yourself. This document covers some tricky information! You might […]

Did you know you can work and still receive SSI payments? It is possible! This document covers the different deductions you might be able to use to work and continue receiving SSI. The Disability Law Center (DLC) created this document for people with disabilities to learn about your rights and how to advocate for yourself. […]

An IRS fact sheet that gives the basic information about existing tax credits and benefits for individuals with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, or businesses wanting to accommodate people with disabilities.

A comprehensive resource guide from Work Without Limits outlining the details of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Public Health Insurance and Other Public Benefits.

Completing the MRC online application connects you to a broad range of services for Vocational Rehabilitation and Community Living.

The Best Buddies Jobs program represents one of our organization’s four key mission pillars, Integrated Employment. This program secures jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and continuously and independently support themselves. The Jobs program places focus beyond the typical jobs in which a person […]

JVS’s Transitions to Work program can help you launch your career through skills training, employer-based internships, job placement services, and ongoing support. Classes are held at worksites throughout Greater Boston, which are all accessible by public transportation, and are taught by JVS instructors. This extensive training and internship program enables adults with disabilities to develop […]

MRC’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program assists individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain employment. This includeS identifying job goals based on individual interests and aptitudes, providing funds for college and vocational training, assessing worksite accommodations and educating an employer about the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The Institute for Community Inclusion’s guide to provision of employment services remotely, focusing on assisting and supporting individuals who are not currently working, but in the process of employment planning, exploration, and job seeking.

Collaboratively designed by the Institute for Community Inclusion and the Mass. Department of Developmental Services through the Work Without Limits employment initiative, this booklet helps families get started with the school-to-work transition process.

This InfoBrief discusses the importance of soft skills and offers specific strategies parents and families can use to help their child develop skills for employment success, including communication skills, interpersonal skills, decision-making skills, and lifelong learning skills.

Guide from the National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (NCLD/Youth) helps students with disabilities find and make the most out of an internship. Internships give students an introduction to the world of work and are an important step toward getting a job in their chosen career field.

PACER Center enhances the quality of life and expands opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities and their families so each person can reach his or her highest potential. PACER operates on the principles of parents helping parents, supporting families, promoting a safe environment for all children, and working in collaboration with […]

MRC’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-Ets) provide students with disabilities the opportunity to experience and explore the world of work. Together with provider partners across the state, we help students make decisions about their career paths and create a plan for their future. Whether younger students are interested in learning about their first summer job or […]

The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development.

The MBTA is more accessible to customers with disabilities than ever before. Our improvements include the addition of hundreds of new low-floor buses, the ongoing expansion of elevators in our stations, and free travel training, we’re striving to become a global model of accessible public transportation. Accessible transit benefits everyone—older adults, parents, students, commuters, tourists, […]

Find a travel instruction program near you. Travel instruction is the professional activity of teaching individuals with disabilities, older adults, and others how to use fixed-route public transportation independently and safely to access their environment and community. Find a program near you.

MassMobility is an initiative to increase mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, low-income commuters, and others who lack transportation access in Massachusetts.