Employment and Vocational Rights

for Delaware Transition-Age Youth and their Families

Alternative formats:  

• Employment and Vocational Rights Transition Guide (PDF)
• TEXT ONLY Employment and Vocational Rights Transition Guide (Word)
• Sample-Reasonable-Accommodation-Letter (Word)
• Presentation on Employment and Vocational Rights (slide presentation with audio)
• Presentation on Employment and Vocational Rights (slide presentation without audio):

Introduction

The transition from childhood to adulthood can be both exciting and challenging. There are many things to keep in mind as you (or your child) approach adulthood. While it is never too late to plan for the future, we recommend that you start thinking about and preparing for the transition to adulthood early in the teenage years.

This guide provides information to assist you in becoming your own advocate. It provides an overview of common employment and vocational issues and questions that you will likely face.

This guide does not cover every topic related to employment that you might encounter, but is here to offer you some insight into some common issues. Each individual’s situation is unique and this guide is not intended to constitute legal advice on your specific circumstances.

Please use this table of contents to navigate to sections of this guide that are of interest to you:

Table of Contents

Preparing for a job and employment readiness

1. Skills assessment and training
2. Housing and transportation
   • Housing
   • Transportation
3. Handling criminal background issues
   • Adult convictions
   • Juvenile delinquency records
   • Help for individuals with criminal histories – APEX program

Finding a job

1. Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
2. Delaware Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS)
3. Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH)

Staying Employed

1. Understanding health insurance, sick leave, short- and long-term disability issues
   • Health insurance
   • Sick leave
   • Short-term disability or temporary disability insurance
   • Taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
2. Keeping your public benefits while working
   1. Reporting changes to the Division of Social Services (DSS) and Medicaid
   2. Medicare for Qualified Disabled and Working Persons
   3. Social Security programs
      • Impairment-related Work Expenses (IRWEs)
      • Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
      • Ticket to Work Program
      • Student Earned Income Exclusion for SSI recipients
      • Section 301 Continuing Benefits

Disability-based discrimination at work

1. Interviewing or applying for a job
2. Medical testing before or after offer
3. Reasonable accommodations
4. Filing a complaint
5. Other legal rights and protections

SAMPLE: Reasonable Accommodation Request Letter

For Further Assistance – Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. Contact Information

Want more information?  Watch this video from Nemours on the transition from high school to the vocational world: http://youtu.be/gdFb4NsifAM!

You can also visit the Delaware Disability Hub’s employment page at: http://www.deldhub.gacec.delaware.gov/employment/.