About the Employment Office Project

The Employment Office focuses on successful career preparation for individuals with disabilities. These resources were originally developed under the AccessCAREERS projects, supported by the U.S. Department of Education and managed by the DO-IT program at the University of Washington. 

AccessCAREERS projects encourage and prepare individuals with disabilities to enter challenging careers and create a model for a continuum of services from K-12 through postsecondary levels. AccessCAREERS serves to:

  • Increase the knowledge and understanding of students with disabilities about academic programs, employment skills, and career opportunities in technology and business.
  • Increase the participation of students with disabilities in work-based learning experiences to develop job skills and prepare for careers
  • Improve the knowledge and skills of parents, educators, advisors, counselors, and employers about the capabilities and needs of students, interns, and employees with disabilities so they are better equipped to support these individuals in academic and employment settings.

To get started in preparing for employment, use the CAREERS acronym:

 

C is for Careers.

Think about what interests you. Be imaginative, then narrow it down.

A is for Academics.

Determine the academic programs best suited to your career goals.

R is for Research.

Research careers that spark your interests, maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

EE is for Experiential Education.

Practice job search skills. Apply for internships. Ask for informational interviews and try other work-based learning opportunities.

RS is for Relevant Skills.

Use on-the-job experiences to learn these "real world" skills. Apply what you've learned in school to the workplace. Test which accommodations work for you.

For more on AccessCAREERS, consult the following.