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What Does Employment First Mean to Me?

What Employment First Means to Me Infographic

To Download the Printable PDF, Spanish, or Plain Text document, visit the Resource Page.

As a Job seeker who has a Disability, Employment First means…

  • I hold high expectations for myself
  • I have information to make my own choices
  • I have benefits planning and counseling for my SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
  • I have resources about self-determination and advocacy
  • I work together with teams of people who help me
  • I hold state agencies and service providers accountable
  • I understand my disability and what I need to be successful
  • I know how to request accommodations if I need them on the job

As a High Schooler who has a Disability, Employment First means…

  • I have support in planning my future
  • I have information to make my own choices
  • I hold high expectations for myself
  • I have access to Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). These include job counseling, work-based learning, and self-advocacy training
  • I understand my disability and what I need to be successful

As a Family Member of a Job seeker, Employment First means…

  • I work together with my loved one and a team of people who help them
  • I have information to support my loved one in achieving their own goals
  • I hold state agencies and services providers accountable
  • I hold high expectations for my loved one

As an Educator, Employment First means…

  • I support my students in planning the futures they want
  • I work with service providers and agencies to prepare my students for the future
  • I assist my students in participating in Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for my students. Pre-ETS includes job counseling, work-based learning, and self-advocacy training
  • I hold high expectations for all my students

As a Service Provider or Vendor, Employment First means…

  • Competitive employment is the preferred outcome for jobseekers with disabilities
  • I work to develop skills to support jobseekers
  • I collaborate with state agencies and employers to create new opportunities for jobseekers
  • I understand the supports, strategies, and technologies available to support jobseekers in competitive employment
  • I help jobseekers identify their skills, talents, and goals

As an Employer, Employment First means…

  • I understand the economic and social value of employing people who have disabilities
  • I know about accommodations and supports for employees with disabilities
  • I work with service providers and state agencies to create opportunities for employees who disabilities
  • I provide the same opportunities for all employees
  • I have the same standards for employees with and without disabilities
  • I work to create an inclusive workplace

As State Agencies, Employment First means…

  • I believe all people with disabilities are valued members of society
  • I work with other agencies and providers to improve employment outcomes
  • I work with people with disabilities to identify opportunities to work in the community
  • I set targets for improving community employment outcomes
  • I am accountable for helping job seekers who have disabilities with their employment goals

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Employment First Means...

Job Seeker: I have the information and support I need to make my own decisions about working.

High Schooler: I have support to plan my future, like job counseling, work-based learning, and advocacy training.

Family Member: I work collaboratively with my loved one and a team of people who help them reach their employment goals.

Educator: I support ALL students in preparing for college and careers.

Service Provider: I understand the resources, strategies, and technologies available to support job seekers in competitive employment.

Employer: I understand the economic and social value of hiring people who have disabilities.

State Agency: I am accountable for helping job seekers who have disabilities with their employment goals