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Important Contacts
Career Centers
American Job Centers - Visit an AJC for help finding employment. AJCs provide free help to job seekers for a variety of career related needs. Nearly 2,400 AJCs, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, are located throughout the United States.
New York Government Agencies
Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) - The DEI is jointly funded and administered by the United States Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the Office of Disability Employment Policy. DEI provides services and accessibility for everyone served in all New York State Career Centers, including individuals with disabilities.
New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) - Information on New York State's employment services, unemployment insurance, laws, and regulations. Find your local Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) here: https://dol.ny.gov/career-services/career-services-for-persons-with-disabilities
New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) - OPWDD is responsible for coordinating services for nearly 140,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, Prader-Willi syndrome, and other neurological impairments.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) - OTDA is responsible for supervising programs that provide assistance and support to eligible families and individuals. OTDA’s functions include: providing temporary cash assistance; providing assistance in paying for food; providing heating assistance; overseeing New York State’s child support enforcement program; determining certain aspects of eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits; supervising homeless housing and services programs; and providing assistance to certain immigrant populations.
New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) - NYAPRS is a statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide recovery oriented community-based mental health services. NYAPRS is dedicated to improving services and social conditions for people with psychiatric disabilities or diagnoses, and those with trauma-related conditions by promoting their recovery, rehabilitation, and rights so that all people can participate freely in the opportunities of society.
New York State Commission on the Blind (NYSCB) - The mission of the New York State Commission for the Blind is to enhance employability, to maximize independence, and to assist in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are legally blind.
Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) which is part of the New York State Education Department, provides job search, educational, and independent living services and supports that help adults with disabilities find employment. Some supports offered by ACCES-VR include: Assessment to help identify skills, abilities, interests, and limitations; Career counseling and guidance; Benefits Advisement; Rehabilitation and assistive technology. Note that ACCES-VR services are eligibility based and focused on employment.
ACCES Adult Education Programs and Policy (AEPP)
The mission of AEPP within the New York State Education Department is to promote, develop, and support adult education programs with the goal of providing adult students with successful pathways and transitions to post-secondary education, apprenticeship training, and the workforce. AEPP oversees Literacy, Apprenticeships, Distance Learning Employment Preparation Education (EPE) as well as High School Equivalency - HSE/TASC™,
National External Diploma Program (NEDP)and Veterans/Operation Recognition. Resources include Literacy Zones and the Regional Adult Education Network (RAEN).
ACCES Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS) - The Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS) oversees and monitors non-degree granting proprietary schools in New York State. BPSS's mission is to ensure that the overall educational quality of the programs offered will provide students with the necessary skills to secure meaningful employment and to protect students' financial interests while attending proprietary schools. BPSS licenses/registers proprietary schools and credentials proprietary schoolteachers to ensure that appropriate standards are met. BPSS investigates student complaints and conducts comprehensive investigations of schools to assure compliance with Education Law and Commissioner's Regulations.
Other Agencies
New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) - NYSILC is responsible for jointly developing, monitoring, and evaluating the three-year Statewide Plan for Independent Living.
New York AIDS Institute - The AIDS Institute at the New York State Department of Heath has lead the coordination of state programs, services, and activities related to HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and hepatitis C.