Home and Community Based Services Final Rule Illustrated Guide: Navigating Employment
How Do I Find a Job That's Right for Me?
Getting a job is a great way to gain more independence and become more involved in your community.
Finding and getting a job, however, can sometimes feel confusing, but it doesn't have to be!
There are many different jobs out there, and it is important to take some time to think about what you might like to do.
Think about what skills you have to offer. For example, people who love talking to people might want to work in customer service.
Talk to family and friends about their jobs and see if they have any suggestions for you. Support from those around you is always helpful in guiding you through the process.
Once you have an idea of the type of work you want to do, the next step is to look for jobs. You can look for jobs in many ways.
Searching online for jobs is a simple way to see what organizations or businesses are hiring near you. Most of the time, you can apply online.
Another option is talking to a job coach. They can suggest jobs for you and help you get these jobs.
A great part about working is that you get paid for your time and energy. It is very important that you be paid fairly for your job. You should always earn at least a “living wage”— enough money to support your basic needs like food, shelter, health, clothing and more.
Some places, like sheltered workshops, hire people with disabilities below the minimum wage. Be sure to tell your job coach you are not interested in jobs that pay below the minimum. There are many other options.
The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule, considers jobs that are integrated and involved in the community most important. This means that you should work alongside people with and without disabilities.
Working, and being paid for your work, can be extremely rewarding. If you feel you need more support in finding and/or keeping a job, you can talk to your friends, family, or job coach. You can also contact the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) at 1-800-442-6351
The HCBS Final Rule key points to remember: The Rule is about YOU and YOUR everyday life. The Rule says you get a choice about where you live, and who you live with. The Rule says you get a choice about where you spend your day, and how you spend your time during the day. If you think the Rule is not being followed, speak up! Your voice matters. For more information or help with this Rule, you can email hcbs@temple.edu.
This project is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council; in part by grant #2001PASCDD-02, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.
Panel Descriptions
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Under a theater marquee for Hamilton, four people of various genders, races, and abilities, one using a wheelchair, are in line. They hand money to a person wearing a t-shirt that says "Staff."
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A person holds a paper that says "Job Search Websites." He sits at a desk with a laptop and scratches his head. A thought bubble reads, "I'm really confused."
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A person under a thought bubble: "What kind of job is right for me?" Around him is a circle that displays job types: Consumer, Office, Learning, Skilled Craft, and Advocacy.
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A person under a thought bubble: "I really like talking to people. What about a job where I need to speak to other people? Sales Associate? Receptionist? Receptionist? Server?" A row icons show employment roles in sales, construction, law, and hospitality.
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A person in a living room listens to four people of various genders, races, and abilities. Speech bubbles say, "I think you would be good working for people in a retail store," "Maybe a sales associate?" and "or customer service rep?"
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A person using binoculars wears a shirt that says "Job Seeker." Icons and text around him represent ways to find employment: local newspaper, online job search, "network" - be around people with the type of job you want, and "word of mouth" – talk to people around you.
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A person at a desk with a laptop and cup of coffee. The screen says "Apply for this job now! Click here for online application."
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A person sits at a desk and talks with a job coach.
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Icons and text below the title "Get Paid a Living Wage to Cover the Cost of Basic Needs" illustrate shelter, food, clothing, health, "and more."
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The title, "Below Minimum Wage," is above a large downward arrow. Buildings in the background are labeled "Sheltered Workshop." A large "X" in front the buildings crosses them out.
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Four people of various genders, races, and abilities stand in front of bookshelves. Their t-shirts say "Old School Bookstore," matching the sign on the wall. One person says, "Welcome to our store. One of our sales associates will to happy to help you."
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The panel's title: "You Can Get More Support... from Family and Friends...from Job Coach." Five people of various genders, races, and abilities sit and talk in a living room and person sits at a desk and talks with a job coach.
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Image attributions
4. and 5. Checkout: Dairy Free Design from the Noun Project; Front desk: Marie Van den Broeck from the Noun Project; Waiter: Luis Prado from the Noun Project; Working desk: Md Saiful Alam Saif from the Noun Project; Printing: Nicolas Vicent from the Noun Project; Teacher: Gan Khoon Lay from the Noun Project; noun_Advocacy_4186 Public Domain; Librarian: Gan Khoon Lay from the Noun Project; Network: Alice Design from the Noun Project; Theater: Travis Beckham from the Noun Project; Cook: Llisole from the Noun Project; Builder: ProSymbols from the Noun Project. 7. Job search: visual world from the Noun Project; Laptop: Veronika Geertsema König from the Noun Project; Network: Alice Design from the Noun Project; Word of Mouth: Nithinan Tatah from the Noun Project. 10. Binoculars by Lakshisha from the Noun Project ; Learning: Phoenix Dungeon from the Noun Project; Wallet: Public Domain; T-shirt: Camie Roos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Doctor: Marcus Hartmann from Pixabay; House: www.openclipart.org Licence: Public domain license; Fork/knife: Tumisu from Pixabay. 11. Building: public domain; Shop: OpenClipart–Vectors from Pixabay. 12. Bookshelf: Marina Shemesh–released under Public Domain license.