Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Occupational Information Resources

Finding employment can often be a problem for a person with a visual impairment, both because of difficulties accessing printed job information and because of employer concerns about the ability of the prospective employee to perform the job successfully. We are working on assembling a collection of information regarding employment. Here you may find both information specialized for persons with disabilities and more generic information chosen to be accessible with a screen reader. We will add new web sites and information as we become aware of them. Please let us know of any resources we have overlooked.

America's Job Bank. America's Job Bank is a partnership between the US Department of Labor and the state operated public Employment Service. This cooperative service helps to give employers national exposure for their job openings, and it permits job seekers to post their resumes for prospective employers.

American Council of the Blind Job Bank. The American Council of the Blind Job Bank is a free service provided by the Advocacy Services staff at the ACB National Office. The Job Bank page on the web contains general information on upcoming events related to employment as well as listings of jobs currently available.

"Are you Looking for a Few Good Workers?" A brochure from the American Foundation for the Blind describing how to go about hiring a blind person. Sections include:

CareerBuilder. According to information on the CareerBuilder web site: CareerBuilder.com is today's leading broad appeal Web site for career achievers. CareerBuilder.com provides a rich array of jobs, career advice, columns and tips to get ahead in today's work place.

CareerSite. CareerSite is a web site designed to facilitate making connections between employers and job seekers. The site permits job seekers to create their own profiles with their interests and employment experience for sharing with prospective employers. Employers can advertise their available job positions. The site has quite a sophisticated system for linking employers and prospective employees while protecting job seekers' privacy.

CareerConnect. CareerConnect is a service of the American Foundation for the Blind. CareerConnect includes a database of approximately 1900 blind and visually impaired people who have experience with assistive technology at home, at work, or in school. These people are willing to share their experience with others seeking employment or wanting to acquire assistive technology.

City of Detroit Official Home Page. The City of Detroit Official Home Page includes links to job opportunities with the city of Detroit.

Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program. The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) provides assistive technology accommodations and services to persons with disabilities at the Department of Defense (DoD), at no cost to individual activities. CAP's mission is to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to the information environment and opportunities in DoD.

Detroit Public Library - Career and Employment Information Center. This site contains links to a variety of resources specifically intended to aid job seekers in developing a job search strategy and in locating job opportunities. Links that can aid in making one's resume available to prospective employers are also provided.

DisabilityInfo.gov. DisabilityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with the information they need to know quickly and easily. With just a few clicks, the site provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including civil rights, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology, transportation, and community life. Click here for DisabilityInfo.gov's employment page.

Job Accommodation Network. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is an international toll-free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations and the employability of people with disabilities. This site includes a page called the Americans with Disabilities Act Document Center.

Michigan Commission for the Blind. The Michigan Commission for the Blind, part of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, serves approximately 4,000 blind persons each year through its programs: Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Independent Living Services, Deaf Blind Services, Youth Low Vision Services, Business Enterprise Program, and the M.C.B. Training Center. For over fifty years the State of Michigan has been providing educational, training, and rehabilitation opportunities to persons who are blind. M.C.B. was created under Public Act 260 of 1978 as amended. Federal guidance is provided through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) of the United States Department of Education. With a $16 million budget, M.C.B. is a statewide program with a staff of nearly 100 available to serve the state's 50,000 persons who are blind. M.C.B. programs are funded under various federal grants with matching state revenues.

Michigan Department of Career Development. The Michigan Department of Career Development is the state of Michigan's new work force development agency. The Department of Career Development helps workers find jobs and employers recruit and train skilled workers. In addition, the department works with K-12 schools and community colleges to establish a career preparation system that would enable every Michigan student to research occupational opportunities and the path that will lead to employment.

Michigan Occupational Information System. The Michigan Occupational Information System (MOIS) is a tool that allows a user to identify possible careers based on his/her interests. MOIS also lets one read descriptions of careers to get a better idea of what a career involves. The MOIS web site also includes several links to other web sites related to careers and education.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services; Services for People with Disabilities. The Services for People with Disabilities section of Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) assists Michigan citizens with disabilities into jobs. Although MRS does not assist people with vision problems specifically, they may assist those who have other physical disabilities in addition to blindness.

Michigan Bureau of Workers and Unemployment Compensation (BWUC). The Michigan Unemployment Agency and other state programs to compensate workers for joblessness and work-related injuries have been consolidated to form the Michigan Bureau of Workers and Unemployment Compensation. The bureau's web site features forms and publications related to unemployment insurance and workers' compensation.

National Industries for the Blind. National Industries for the Blind, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a mentoring agency helping non-profit businesses of people with visual and other severe disabilities to succeed in the competitive marketplace. Their web site includes information on the agency as well as information on job opportunities at N.I.B. and its associated agencies.

Net-Temps. Net-Temps is a commercial job posting and job search web site. Its emphasis is on temporary positions. From the main page you can pick a U.S. geographical area and enter keywords to search for a position of interest. Facilities exist for posting your resume on-line as well.

Office of Disability Employment Policy. The Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) mission is to provide leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities. ODEP is a federal agency in the Department of Labor. Its customers include individuals with disabilities and their families; private employers and their employees; federal, state, and local government agencies; educational and training institutions; disability advocates; and providers of services and government employers.

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University. Welcome to the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University. The RRTC was established in October, 1981 through support from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) of the U. S. Department of Education and is the nation's only RRTC studying blindness and low vision.

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The mission of the EEOC is to promote equal opportunity in employment through administrative and judicial enforcement of the federal civil rights laws and through education and technical assistance. Their home page includes information on the activities of the Commission and procedures for filing a claim regarding job discrimination.