Organizations that help the disabled find jobs near me

Get help finding and staying in work if you have a disability or health condition.

How specialist advice can help

It's illegal to discriminate against someone with a disability. Yet many disabled people still face challenges in the workplace. This includes finding work and remaining in it.

If you're finding it difficult, specialist advice may help you to:

• understand your legal rights at work
  
• reach your career goals
• explore your options
• find funding and support like Access to Work
• access professionals like mentors, advocates and disability adviser

Many UK employers are committing to create more inclusive workplaces through Disability Confident.

Graduate support

As a recent student or university graduate, you can get:

• employment and self-employment advice
• blind and partially sighted job advice
• help finding jobs, internships and graduate schemes for people with disabilities

Learning disability job support

If you have a learning disability, you can:

• access a 12-week support programme
• get support with finding jobs and training
• get help looking for work if you have dyslexia
• read guidance on coping with dyspraxia in the workplace

Autism job support

If you have autism, you can get:

• advice for finding work if you have autism
• job opportunities and advice for people with autism

Sight and hearing conditions job support

If you have a sensory impairment, you can get help with:

• working if you're deaf or have hearing loss
• your employment rights if you're blind or partially sighted
• working if you have a sensory impairment

Mental health and medical conditions

If you have a long-term medical or mental health condition, you can get help with:

• mental health support to return to work
• cancer work support
• MS working advice

Charities and organisations offering support

You can get expert advice on the challenges of a specific disability from:

• Job Help campaign
• Disability Rights UK
• Remploy
• The Shaw Trust

They may be able to give you practical support to:

• find Disability Confident employers near you
• search and apply for jobs
• disclose your disability during the job application process, at the best time for you
• ask for reasonable adjustments in the workplace

Other support

There are many other organisations that may offer tailored support near you.

Speak to a careers adviser for more details.

• What is the EmployAbility Service?
• Who can use the EmployAbility Service?
• What type of supports are provided?
• How to find a job
• Do I have to pay to use the EmployAbility Service?
• How to apply
• Where to apply

What is the EmployAbility Service?

The EmployAbility Service is an employment and recruitment service that helps people who have a disability, an injury or and an illness to get and to keep a job. It gives a number of supports, such as a job coach who works with both jobseekers and employers. It used to be called the Supported Employment Service.

The EmployAbility Service works through sponsor organisations in local communities on behalf of the Department of Social Protection(DSP) – see ‘Sponsor organisations’ below.

Who can use the EmployAbility Service?

To use the EmployAbility Service, you must be between 18 and 65 and need support in finding and getting a job.

You must also be job ready. Job ready is having the necessary training, education, motivation and ability to work.

The service is for people who genuinely need the support of a job coach to get a job. See ‘What does a job coach do?’ below

What type of supports are provided?

EmployAbility Service supports include:

• Ongoing support for both the employer and employee throughout employment
• A professional job-matching service to help ensure successful recruitment
• Advice and information on additional employment supports

How does it help jobseekers?

EmployAbility can give you career advice and employment support. Career advice includes identifying your skills and helping you to search for a job.

Employment support includes:

• Help with applying for jobs
• Help with finding jobs
• Matching your skills with employers’ needs
• Help with fitting into the workplace after you get a job
• Advice on employment benefits and entitlements

How does it help employers?

The EmployAbility Service’s supports for employers include:

• Free recruitment and employment service
• Database of skilled jobseekers
• Access to a committed, local workforce
• Ongoing support from a professional team of job coaches
• Advice on employment grants and supports

How can a job coach help?

Job coaches provide support both before and after you get a job. Job coaches can:

• Help you to identify your skills, interests and aspirations
• Help you to identify suitable employment where your skills, interests and talents match what is needed in the job
• Examine the various tasks involved in the job and plan the supports you may need
• Help you to develop the technical and social skills needed to do the job

How to find a job

When you and your job coach have identified and agreed on the type of work you are interested in, the next stage is to apply for jobs.

You can do this either by applying for jobs that are advertised in the usual way or by your job coach helping you to apply for jobs in your area. Sometimes, this can involve your job coach contacting employers in your area or in your chosen field of work.

Job coaches provide continuing support in a number of ways, depending on what you need. For example, they can help with on-the-job training and can support you and the employer when you first start a job. Or they can provide support and advice only when you ask for it.

During a placement, a job coach gives information, advice and ongoing support to employers. Occasionally, the employer and employee may agree that the job is not working out. If this happens, the job coach can then step in to assess the situation and offer more support.

What are sponsor organisations?

The EmployAbility Service works through sponsor organisations. These are often community and voluntary organisations in your local area that provide direct services to people with disabilities. These sponsor organisations have job coaches who provide supports for jobseekers with a disability, and for employers.

How to apply

You should register with your local Intreo centre or Social Welfare branch office and apply for the EmployAbility Service.

You can read more about working with a disability.

Page edited: 4 August 2022

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