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What Kind of Jobs Can I Get?

Arizona Employment First believes that people with disabilities should have control over the kinds of work they want to do. There are many different ways to work.

Competitive Integrated Employment

This type of work means:

  • You are hired and paid directly by their employer (not by a job agency or state program)
  • You work in your community
  • You work and interact with people with and without disabilities
  • The amount of time you work each week is based on your choices, wants, and needs
  • You are paid the same and work the same number of hours as workers without disabilities doing the same job.
  • You receive at least minimum wage and have the same access to benefits as workers without disabilities doing the same job
  • If you are self-employed, you make the same amount of money someone without a disability would be making doing the same work.


Work can look different for different people.

You can be:

  • Self-Employed: You have your own business and decide your own hours and job tasks
  • Employed by Others: You work for someone else, and your boss decides your hours and job tasks


You can also decide how much you would like to work.

Options include:

  • Full-time: Working full time means working about 40 hours a week. This usually means working 8 hours per day. These jobs often have benefits and perks that other jobs do not, such as health insurance and paid vacation.
  • Part-time: Working part time means working less than 35 hours per week. These kinds of jobs often do not have as many perks or benefits as full-time jobs.
  • If you are Self-Employed, you can decide how much you work. Working less means you will make less money.


Am I Working or In Training?

Sometimes, people who have disabilities take part in training programs before working. These programs can take place in the community or in segregated centers. They can be paid or unpaid. As a trainee, you learn work-related skills to prepare you for employment. Group-supported employment (enclaves) and centered-based employment (sheltered workshops) are examples of training. Training is not a permanent job. Training exists to help you prepare for work.

Employment is a job in your community. These jobs can be full-time or part-time. People who have disabilities and people who do not have disabilities:

  • Work together,
  • Get paid the same for doing the same job,
  • Get the same benefits.

Note: This information comes from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)



2022 Windmill Training Videos

Resource Description
Windmill Training: Matrix Profile (October 2022) Windmill Training: Reasonable Accommodations (October 2022) Windmill Training: Pick a Disability (October 2022)

APSE Disability Employment Infographic

Resource Description
Arizona Disability Employment Summary A downloadable infographic sheet describing employment and income data for Arizonans with disabilities, created by Arizona APSE.

What is Employment First?

Resource Description
A downloadable, plain language one pager describing Employment First, created by Arizona APSE. Image
Three people with disabilities and text reading Employment First: Job Opportunities for All

VIDEO: Employment First: Job Opportunities for All!

Resource Description
What is Employment First? This video describes what it means, what's happening in Arizona, and success stories of integrated competitive employment. This video is also available with an audio description track. The video transcript is below and also available for download. To view the video as an embedded link, visit our Success Stories page. Video Transcript (with Audio Description) -[Voiceover]
Image of Benefits Infographic

Working and Benefits

Resource Description
Downloadable as PDF Handout, High Contrast, Spanish and Plain Text Document Disponible en Español Plain Text: Working and Your Benefits This table shows resources and programs for working and receiving benefits like SSI or Medicaid. To learn more about these programs and find other resources, visit AZ.BD101.org AHCCCS Freedom to Work AHCCCS Freedom to Work means you can work and still receive
Image of Infographic

Arizona Employment First Infographic

Resource Description
Downloadable as PDF Handout, High Contrast, Spanish, and Plain Text Document Disponible en Español Plain Text: AZ Employment First (EF) means that competitive integrated employment is the expectation for all Arizonans who have a disability. EF IS A… Vision Initiative Movement EF IS NOT A… Program Agency Service Arizona has an Employment First Executive Order (2017) declaring state agencies must
Image of DDD Infographic

Applying for the Division of Developmental Disabilities

Resource Description
Available for Download as PDF Handout, High Contrast, Spanish and Plain Text Document Disponible en Español Plain Text: Applying for the Division of Developmental Disabilities The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) provides lots of services to help you live independently in your community. They can help you make decisions about your health, where you live, and where you work. Can DDD
Arizona State Transition Guide

The State of Arizona Transition Slide Guide

Resource Description
Students with disabilities should start getting ready to transition out of high school when they are between 10 and 12. Students can transition to employment or post secondary education. This chart describes things students should be doing and the supports they need to transition successfully. Activities are broken into four themes across six age groups. Themes include: Self-Determination
WIOA Handout Page One

WIOA: It's Your Choice

Resource Description
Available for Download as PDF in Color, Grey, Spanish and Plain Text Disponible en Español The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a law. WIOA says people who have disabilities have rights. These rights include having information about s elf-determination, self-advocacy , and peer mentoring . This handout will help you understand what those terms mean. It also has a checklist you
Screenshot from Disability Benefits Help Homepage

Social Security Disability Benefits Resources: Arizona

Resource Description
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a government program. You can contact them for information about your benefits, including SSI and SSDI. This page lists the contact information for all the SSA offices in Arizona. These offices include: 18 field offices 3 Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review 2 Offices of Disability Determination Services These offices can help you with questions