To comply with legal requirements, many states offer youth employment programs to help young people with learning disabilities practice job skills and get jobs. Here are a few good sources of information.
For information specifically about jobs for young people with learning disabilities, be sure to browse through our Resource Locator. Its “LD in the Workplace” category lists many other additional information sources.
There may be companies or organizations in your area that offer jobs and job training specifically for people with learning disabilities. These programs usually include job coaches who will help you get acclimated and do the work. The “Students and Career Advisors” section of the “CareerOneStop” site, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, offers valuable employment information and advice, including how to apply for a job and write a resume.
You may find it useful to visit a one-stop career center in your area. At the Service Locator website, you can enter your zip code or city, your state, and the distance you’re willing to travel to find “comprehensive one-stop career centers” near you. These centers provide job postings, computer stations with Internet access, job information, support groups for job seekers, job fairs, and workshops on job-related skills, such as interviewing.
Go to JAN, the Job Accommodation Network, to find your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation services. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) provides information about jobs to people with disabilities, including learning disabilities. On your state’s VR page you may find a list of topics on how to find employment. This list may include WorkForce Centers in your state. At a WorkForce Center, you’ll get the services of trained staff members, free information about employment workshops and training, computer and Internet access, and much more.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides funding for programs that create new jobs. Check with your city or county government to see if they’ve received stimulus money geared towards serving “disadvantaged youth” — including those with LD.
Volunteer or paid jobs are opportunities to build your marketable skills. Both kinds of jobs can be listed on your resume. Both put you in contact with people who might recommend you for another job or for a training program. Ask adults who know and care about you to help you as you take your first steps into the world of work.
Bonnie Z. Goldsmith has worked in the field of education throughout her professional life. She has wide experience as a writer, editor, and teacher.
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