Massachusetts Resources
Information and resources to your legal questions regarding employing people with disabilities.
| Hiring | Accommodations & Technology | Legal Resources | Health Care |
Hiring
Downsizing, "offshoring," a challenging economy, and disability are common reasons why job applicants may have gaps in their employment history. Massachusetts offers incentives to employers to help train new employees.
The Commonwealth's One-Stop Career Centers: Meeting the Needs of Job Seekers and Businesses in Massachusetts -- One-Stop Career Centers offer a wide variety of employment-related services for job seekers and businesses. Find the Career Center near you.
Business Leadership Networks (BLN) are associations of companies committed to a diverse marketplace that includes people with disabilities as both customers and employees. BLNs exist across the country. MassBLN envisions a future where every employer includes people with disabilities in their product, service, employment, and community outreach planning as a best business practice. Learn about MassBLN activities and benefits.
Prospective employers may wish to take advantage of the On-the-Job Training (OJT) reimbursement option offered by the Mass. Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). If a new employee is an MRC client, an employer may be reimbursed for their salary during the on-site training period.
Commonwealth Disability Employment Partnership -- The Disability Employment Partnership matches the hiring needs of state and municipal government with the abilities and interests of individuals with disabilities. The project is designed as a way for state and municipal government to improve their ability to employ persons with disabilities. An initiative of the Mass. Human Resources Division.
Employers with Labor Shortages Should Look to Vocational Rehabilitation -- This editorial explains the ways that state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies can help employers connect to qualified candidates with disabilities.
Investing in America: Consumers at Work Vocational Rehabilitation agencies have helped many working-age people with disabilities successfully join the workforce.
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Accommodations & Technology
For help on accommodations, legal accessibility requirements, and technology, contact Adaptive Environments, the region's ADA Technical Assistance Center. For 25 years, Adaptive Environments has worked to expand job opportunities for all through better workplace design.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) interested in expanding their service areas and companies that want or need training on the effects of disability-related issues on work activities may benefit from the Employee Assistance Program Partnership Network. EAPs began by providing services for employees within industry and have been assisting companies to incorporate natural supports.
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Legal Resources
Employment and Equal Rights -- Massachusetts laws about disabilities and employment.
Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution -- While infrequent, disputes between employees with disabilities and their employers may create discomfort for those involved. However, conflict doesnt have to lead to litigation. Let the Mass. Office of Dispute Resolution at UMass Boston help.
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Health Care
MassHealth: It's Good for Business (pdf file) -- If you thought that state Medicaid had nothing to do with your business, think again. Employers are a major beneficiary of the MassHealth program and, in particular, of the states successful efforts to reduce the number of uninsured people in the Commonwealth. This document was developed by the Mass. Medicaid Policy Institute.
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Copyright 2004-2006, Institute for Community Inclusion. The ForEmployers.com website is funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services/Massachusetts Medicaid and Comprehensive Employment Opportunities Infrastructure Grant and the U.S. Department of Labor Massachusetts WorkFORCE Action Grant.
