Our Competitive Employment Services assist individuals with disabilities in finding paid competitive work in the community and offers time-limited support services, with or without a job coach, in integrated settings. Paid competitive work means work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis with a minimum expectation of averaging at least twenty (20) hours per week as an employment goal with at least a minimum hourly wage.
Individuals are referred to DILA through Maryland’s Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). Once the referral is received the individual will meet with our Employment Specialist to complete the first step to competitive employment of initial job preparations such as creating a resume, writing a cover letter and discuss interview skills.
Once the first step is completed, individuals move to the second step of Job Development/Placement. Along with our employment specialist, individuals will search for jobs, complete applications and go on interviews. Mock interviews can be held to help alleviate the anxiety of what to expect on an actual interview.
The third step is job coaching. Once an individual is hired the Employment Specialist will assist them in adjusting to their new work environment by working alongside them if needed or do follow along by checking in with them on an as-needed basis. Job coaching is time-limited.
Vocation Development Center
The Vocation Development Center (VDC) is a resource center for individuals seeking employment. It is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. No appointment is necessary. There are a variety of tools available to consumers to help them find work. These include; a computer with internet access for doing job searches and filling out online applications, current job listings in the area that are compiled and updated weekly, books and videos related to employment, interviewing and resuming building, as well as information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reasonable accommodations for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the workplace. Resources include:
- Five Computers with Internet access
- Printer
- List of helpful job search Web sites
- Posting of current job openings
- Resume, cover letter and interview resources
- ADA resources
- Calendar of upcoming vocational events
Our VDC was funded in part by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, The Gannett Foundation, PNC Foundation, and Chimes.