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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)



Road Map to Opportunities after High School

Road Map to Transitioning in Arizona

Resource Description
What do you need to know to start planning for life after high school? This handout from the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council can help get you started. Once you think about the questions on the first page, reach out to the resources and services on the second page to learn more!

Video: Considerations on Employment & Assistive Technology

Resource Description
Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) presenters Clayton Guffey, program director, and Heidi Lervik, assistive technology specialist, share information about AzTAP and assistive technology.

2020 PSE Policy Brief

Resource Description
Available for Download as PDF. 2020 PSE Policy Brief "EXPLORING OPTIONS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES".

New! Arizona Employer Toolkit | A Job for All

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An inclusive labor force can boost creativity and productivity, widen employee perspectives, improve staff morale and much more. Use the NEW Employer Toolkit to learn about diversifying your workplace by hiring Arizonans with disabilities.

Developing the Tempe BEST Program Guide

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An inside look at how the City of Tempe developed the Tempe BEST Program Guide.
BEST | Building Employment Supports & Training | Tempe Program Guide

Tempe BEST Program Guide

Resource Description
Municipalities interested in the BEST model used by the City of Tempe are welcome to read the BEST Program Guide to explore how a similar program may look like for them.

Working and Job Searching During COVID-19

Resource Description
IF YOU ARE AN ESSENTIAL WORKER First of all, thank you for your essential work during the pandemic! Your job has probably changed due to the pandemic. You may need to learn new tasks and safety procedures. If you need a new reasonable accommodation because of the changes, you can talk to your employer. A good resource for learning about accommodations is Job Accommodation Network ( askjan.org ).
Flyer with resources and action steps for state agencies

State Agency Stakeholder Flyer

Resource Description
A flyer for state agency stakeholders with resources and action steps to support Employment First. Image
Flyer with resources and action steps for service providers

Service Provider Stakeholder Flyer

Resource Description
A flyer for service providers with resources and action steps to support Employment First. Image
Flyer with resources and action steps for family members

Family Member Stakeholder Flyer

Resource Description
A flyer for family members with resources and action steps to support Employment First. Image