School-to-Work Transition

Making the transition from school to a work environment can be a challenging process. This guide was created to help direct you through the transition by providing you with crucial knowledge, answering important questions, and giving you the resources you will need to succeed!

Knowing Your Rights as an Employee

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA protects the civil rights of people with disabilities in all aspects of employment, in accessing public services such as transportation, and guaranteeing access to public accommodations.

Employment: ADA Title I

  • Discrimination:
  • No employercan discriminate against a qualified individual on the basis of disability.
  • The term qualified individualmeans an individual who can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.
  • Disclosure of Disability:
  • You are not required by law to tell potential employers about your disability and employers are prohibited from asking if you have a disability. Disclosing, at some point, is the only way to ensure your legal right to accommodation, but disclosing in the job search process could expose you to discrimination.
  • It is entirely up to you whether you choose to disclose information on your disability during the hiring process or after you have obtained the job.

ADA Resources: How it Applies to You

ADA National Network

The ADA National Networkprovides information, guidance and training on ADA.

Phone: (800) 949-4232

ADA Nation Network Website

Disability and Business Tech Assistance Centers (DBTACs)

There are 10 Regional ADA National Network Centers located across the country that provide personalized, local assistance to ensure that the ADA is implemented wherever possible. The local DBTAC is the Rocky Mountain ADA Center.

Phone:(719) 444-0268 (Voice/TTY)

Rocky Mountain ADA Center Website

Finding a Job

CSU Career Center

Receive personalized assistance from a career counselor. The CSU Career Center recognizes that students with disabilities may have some unique considerations in their work-related decisions, the career counselors are committed to helping students with disabilities tackle their specific concerns and issues.

Phone: (970) 491-5707

CSU Career Center Website

Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

DVR assists individuals with disabilities who are pursuing meaningful careers. DVR assists those individuals to secure gainful employment appropriate to their abilities and capabilities. Employment services can include evaluation, job placement, counseling, funding for accommodations, and job training and technical assistance to employees and employers. Each state has its own DVR.

Phone: (303) 866-4150 (voice & TDD), (866) 870-4595 (toll free)

Colorado DVR Website

Choosing the Right Accommodation(s)

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

JAN is leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.

Phone: (800) 526-7243 (voice), (877) 781-9403 (TTY)

JAN Website

Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) System

SOAR isdesigned to let users explore various accommodation options for people with disabilities in work and educational settings.

SOAR Website

Obtaining Assistive Technology (AT)

Assistive Technologies Act Programs

All regions of the United States have some sort of program under the Assistive Technologies Act of 1989 (Tech Act). Find the Tech Act project in your state or region and find out about services they have to offer. A good resource for finding the Tech Act program closest to you is the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs.

Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs Website

Colorado’s Assistive Tech Act Program: AT Partners

AT Partners provides technical assistance to Coloradoans on AT, consultation, product demonstrations, equipment borrowing, and low-interest loans for individuals with disabilities.

Phone: (303) 315-1280, (800) 255-3477 (toll free), (303) 837-8964 (TTY)

AT Partners Website

AT Partners offers several useful resources, including:

  • AT Finder: web-based technology exchange program that assists individuals in obtaining new or used AT devices or equipment for little or no cost.

AT Finder Website

  • AT Funding Sources: assists individuals with disabilities in locating needed funding to purchase AT devices and services for their specific needs.

AT Funding Source Website

  • Free AT Software: a wide variety of free software is available to suit a diverse range of needs and abilities. Such software ranges from AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication) web page building tools, to head tracking programs and mouse clicking utilities.

Free AT Software Website

OATSoft – Open Source Assistive Technology Software

OATSoft is dedicated to improving Assistive Technology and computer accessibility through the power of Open Source development techniques. OATSoft makes the best Open Source Assistive Technology Software (OATS) easy to find. Users and developers meet at OATSoft to create better software.

OATSoft Website