Employment consultants, also known as ECs or job coaches, are professionals who support individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment. They provide individualized services such as job search assistance, training, and on-site support to ensure that the job is a suitable match for both the business and the employee.

We believe that hands-on job exploration helps individuals gain insight and abilities allowing them to assess if they're a good fit for the role. This can be done before a job offer to ensure it's the right match. The EC provides onsite support, Stone Belt pays the individual for their time and holds liability at this stage.

Persons with disabilities are capable of supplying their own transportation by choosing to walk, use a carpool, drive, take public transportation, or a cab. Their modes of transportation to work are as varied as those of other employees.

Most workers with disabilities require no special accommodations and the cost for those who do is minimal or much lower than many employers believe. Studies by the Office of Disability Employment Policy's Job Accommodation Network have shown that 15% of accommodations cost nothing, 51% cost between $1 - $500, and 22% cost more than $1,000.

A very harmful stigma about people with disabilities is that they are unable to otherwise do things that would qualify them for meaningful work. With proper accommodations and support, people with disabilities are more than able to get high school diplomas, college degrees, and sometimes even post-graduate degrees. They can do anything that any other person can do.

• Exploring your employment interests and skills.
• Helping you find your first job.
• Providing assistive technology and other services to help you keep your job.
• Re-entering employment after a period of not working.
• Training for a new career due to factors related to your disability.
• Providing services for career advancement.

• Filling out a referral by visiting our referral page on the IN.gov website.
• Contact a VR office and tell them you are interested in applying. The Bloomington VR office number is (812) 332-7331.

• The person has a physical or mental impairment.
• The physical or mental impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and
• The individual requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain an employment outcome consistent with their abilities, capacities, career interest, and informed choice.

• Talk with your VR counselor about your employment goals, interests, strengths, and needs.
• Be an active participant in the planning process.
• Work toward the goals you have written in your Individualized Plan for Employment.