Many Pathways to Employment

Getting the kind of job that matters to you is not one-size-fits-all. Check out the practices and programs career seekers with disabilities are using to get jobs in Colorado’s communities.

Colorado Profile: Milton Smith secured his first real job in the community with help from his employment service provider, Theresa Garcia.

Colorado Workforce Centers

All job seekers are welcome to seek services through the state’s many workforce centers.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

DVR and its service provider partners exist to assist job seekers with disabilities to work and live independently.

Employment Networks

Employment Networks specifically assist Social Security beneficiaries who want to work and are located through the Ticket to Work program.

infographic with five service type descriptions

What approach fits for you?

Employment programs and service providers throughout Colorado are increasingly able to offer greater options and a continuum of approaches to career seekers to best meet individual needs and preferences. Part-time? Full-time? The choice is yours based on what you are ready for right now.

 Are you an independent job seeker? If so, you may find what you need at one of Colorado’s workforce centers, and you may choose to work with DVR as well. If you need greater assistance with your job search, you will likely want to get connected with DVR. Read more about getting connected to employment services and support at our Information and Referral Page.

Colorado Profile: Mikelle Learned has been selling her jewelry in coffee shops, at conferences, and on her Etsy Shining Beautiful Shop after
recognizing how much she wanted to own her own business.

Be Your Own Boss

People with disabilities often find small business ownership a great match for their marketable skills and entrepreneurial spirit. A well-thought through business plan can open up the door to owning a small business, including a micro-enterprise which is a very small scale business. Community resources such as the Small Business Development Centers and the Denver Small Business Administration offer support, and the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has a self-employment program which specifically assists prospective business owners with disabilities, including those with significant or complex disabilities.

JFK Partner Logo

The Colorado Office of Employment First sits under JFK Partners, the state’s University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, a program of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Its creation was envisioned by Colorado Employment First Advisory Partnership (EFAP), a multi-state agency and stakeholder-led collaborative, and was made possible, in part, by funding from the Colorado Legislature and generously matched through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE).

© 2023 Colorado Office of Employment First. All Rights Reserved.

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