Employment and VR Services
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We protect the rights of people with disabilities in a range of work environments. These efforts include things like:
- Helping people get services from the state vocational rehabilitation (VR) program through our Client Assistance Program (CAP)
- Assisting people with the Social Security Administration’s “Ticket to Work” program
- Ensuring employers do not discriminate because of a person’s disability
If you are unable to get the accommodations you need at work, experiencing disability discrimination at work, or having problems getting employment services from Texas Workforce Solutions, read about how to apply for our services.
(If you want to apply for services from Texas Vocational Rehabilitation, please visit their website or call them at 1-800-628-5115.)
Featured
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Discrimination at Work? File a Charge.
There may be laws in place that make it illegal for an employer to discriminate against you. Learn how to file a charge of employment discrimination.
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Asking for an Accommodation at Work
Do you need to request an accommodation to remove a barrier at work? Our Workplace Accommodation Request Tool can help.
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Client Assistance Program (CAP) In Texas
If you are a person who has a disability, DRTx's Client Assistance Program (CAP) may be able to help you reach your goals to live more independently and go to work. CAP helps people who are getting services, or who are trying to get services, from the Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program and the Independent Living Centers.
Handouts
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10 Self-Advocacy Tips
Self-advocacy is when you let others know what’s important to you so you can influence decisions that will affect your life.
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Sample Medical Documentation for Workplace Accommodations
This handout includes three different sample letters healthcare professionals can customize for patients who are seeking workplace accommodations.
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PABSS: Choose a Pathway to Work
The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program protects the legal rights of Social Security beneficiaries in their efforts to secure, maintain, and regain employment. Learn how the program can help you.
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Vocational Rehabilitation System in Texas
The vocational rehabilitation (VR) program in Texas provides services that help people who have disabilities prepare for, keep, or get a job. This handout covers how to get VR services, what's involved in the process, and how to handle problems with the VR system.
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Client Assistance Program and Switching from High School to Adult Life
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) works to make sure that students who have disabilities leave school prepared for jobs in the community, a place to live, or readiness to participate in adult services. Learn about how CAP can help students who have disabilities switch from school to community life.
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Employment Discrimination
This handout answers many questions related to employment discrimination for people with disabilities. Some of the broad topics that are covered in-depth include information about the law, specific kinds of discrimination to be aware of, and how to file a complaint or a lawsuit.
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Employment Advice for People with Psychiatric Disabilities
This handout provides answers to various questions related to employment for people who experience psychiatric disabilities. Topics covered include what the law says, how to get a job, disclosing information, reasonable accommodations, and more.
Publications
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Living on a Dime and Left Behind
Today, most employers paying subminimum wage under Section 14(c) keep their employees segregated from the community. Workers with disabilities making subminimum wage are employed in sheltered workshops, which intentionally isolate workers with disabilities from the rest of their communities.
Videos
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Employment Rights: Asking for an Accommodation
Learn what you need to know about asking for an accommodation at work, including the laws that apply, who's covered, and more.
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Medical Documentation for Accommodation Requests
Learn about four things medical professionals need to know when providing medical documentation for accommodation requests.
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Get Help with Employment and Independent Living Services
Our Client Assistance Program can help you navigate employment services and live more independently.
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DRTx Legal Tips: Employment Rights
In this video, a Disability Rights Texas attorney explains some of the basic employment rights of veterans and others with disabilities. The attorney covers what to do if you face discrimination and how employers are supposed to accommodate disabilities in the workplace.
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Employment Discrimination Issues
Discrimination in the workplace because you are deaf is illegal. This video about employment discrimination provides examples of discrimination, discusses how to file a complaint, and highlights important deadlines.
External Links
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What You Need to Know About Texas Unemployment Benefits
This fact sheet from Texas RioGrande Legal Aid covers what workers need to know about unemployment benefits, including who qualifies, how to apply, and how to appeal a denial.
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Workers with Disabilities and the Medicaid Buy-in Program
People with disabilities can face problems getting the jobs they want and making enough money at those jobs. A Medicaid “buy-in” program can help. Workers with disabilities who are in this program can get help that other insurance doesn't have.
Related
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Taking Charge of Your Career
Finding a job can be challenging for anyone. People with disabilities can face additional obstacles such as inaccessible workplaces and wrong perceptions about their abilities. Dealing with obstacles Since it’s ...
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#WeAreDRTx: Getting the job done
Meet Preston. He’s part of our Employment Advocacy Team which helps people with disabilities get training through Texas vocational rehab and job accommodations so they can work and earn a ...
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‘We are struggling’: Medicaid home caregivers want Texas lawmakers to increase wages
From the Austin American Statesman: “…Greenwell doesn’t know how much longer he will be able to afford to take care of Edgar as a community-based care provider under Medicaid. He ...
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EEOC Hearing: Workplace Civil Rights Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic
On Wednesday, April 28th, DRTx Senior Attorney Brian East will be participating in a virtual Public Hearing hosted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Brian, along with several other ...
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Walmart is getting rid of greeters. Here’s why the disabled community is outraged
“One of the country’s most recognizable retail jobs might soon be no more, and the disabled community is reacting. Walmart, the biggest employer in the United States, is phasing out its ...
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Ending Sub-minimum Wage and Sheltered Employment
Mary Faithfull, Executive Director Some Texas workers are making as little as pennies per hour while some of their bosses are making six figure salaries. And it’s legal because of ...