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Employment & Finances

Walla Walla Valley Disability Network does not endorse or recommend any particular products, treatments, services or diagnosis, whether specifically or generally, and professional advice should be sought in relation to all  health and treatment decisions. We provide information and listings only which we hope are helpful.

Preparing for a Job

  • The ChoiceMaker Curriculum consists of three strands: (1) Choosing Goals, (2) Expressing Goals, and (3) Taking Action. Each strand addresses teaching objectives in three transition areas: Education, Employment, and Personal.

  • Print this form and fill it out if your student is between age 14 and 21, has an IEP or 504 plan or has a disability with no IEP or 504, and would like to receive pre-employment transition services. This must be signed by a school official and returned to DVR.

  • Lessons for Teaching Self-Awareness & Self-Advocacy

  • The bell ringers focus on the areas of self-awareness, disability awareness, goal setting, and students gaining the knowledge to lead their IEPs. There are two versions of the bell ringers, one for secondary students and one for elementary age students or secondary students working on alternate achievement standards.

  • What do you want to do for a living?

  • The eight Student-Directed Transition Planning (SDTP) lessons facilitate high school to adult life planning partnerships between students, their families, and educators.

  • Find the education & training you need to get the job you want. Explore careers, view job trends, find education.

  • Big Bend Community College DVR Program using the T-folio curriculum.

Employment

  • Examples include: Walla Walla County Dept. of Community Health, Developmental Disabilities Administration, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Social Security. Visit this link to see more.

  • A not for profit community-based employment and social support organization dedicated to meeting the needs of adults with disabilities in integrated social and work environments, and assisting individuals in achieving and maintaining maximum independence in their daily activities.

  • Compass Career Solutions provides foundational community supports (FCS) through supported employment, person centered planning, community inclusion, youth readiness & transitions, and life skills classes for individual’s with various support needs.

  • DVR believes employment contributes to a person’s ability to live independently and everyone has a right to work. Our purpose is to empower people with disabilities to achieve a greater quality of life by obtaining and maintaining employment.

  • Putting your abilities to work - If you or a loved one has a disability, you can benefit from our customized services that help individuals live, work and thrive within their communities. We’re committed to helping people make the most of their abilities and connect with opportunities that allow them to move beyond a job and into a career.

  • LRC is dedicated to providing employment and support services to individuals with developmental disabilities while enhancing their quality of independence. Check out their programs in the drop down menu.

  • Promoting Community Inclusion - Through work training services, Alicia Walker provides meaningful employment and training to people with developmental disabilities in Dayton, WA.

  • Do you live in Oregon or Washington’s southern counties of Benton, Clark, Cowlitz, Franklin, Klickitat, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, Wahkiakum, and Walla Walla? Our goal is to enable SSDI or SSI beneficiaries to make informed decisions about work and to support them in making a successful transition to greater financial independence.

  • Since 1983, our team has supported individuals and families of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to realize their full potential at school, home, work, and in the community.

  • Look for this inclusion sticker on local business doors and windows. This indicates the business: employs a person with a disability, participates in a trial job experience, and/or participates in job tours or job shadowing.

  • Social Security’s work incentives and Ticket to Work programs can help you if you’re interested in working. Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments.

Employment Videos Featuring Local People

Finances

  • ABLE Accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families that will largely not affect their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other public benefits.

  • DDETF allows individuals with developmental disabilities, or their families, to set aside funds for future use without affecting their eligibility for government services and benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

  • Which one is the best for me?

  • Everyone must plan for how they will pay for the things they want and need in their life, and it’s important to plan before you need it. You don't need a lot of money to plan—but you do need to plan! The Arc's Center for Future Planning has created free resources to help.

  • Have you ever had someone ask you to:
    lend them money without paying it back?
    buy something that you didn’t want?
    let them use your debit or food benefit card?
    sign a blank check?

  • Having troubles with credit? Trying to save? Want to learn more about budgeting? Northwest Access Fund is pleased to offer FREE one-on-one financial coaching for people with disabilities in Washington and Oregon!

  • Apply for SSI at your local office or online.