Department of Employment Vocational Rehabilitation
The Department of Employment Vocational Rehabilitation services at CIDNY focuses on assisting all people – with physical, sensory, medical, mental health, learning, or developmental disabilities – to prepare for, find, and maintain employment; attend school; or pursue their vocational aspirations. Workshops aim to help people get on track to apply for work/school and to be equipped with the necessary tools to succeed.
Services include but are not limited to:
Vocational Counseling and Coaching
Individually and in groups
Advocacy
Education for consumers who are unfamiliar with reasonable accommodations, or laws that protect people with disabilities, and has been a barrier to employment.
Evaluations and Assessments
Administering vocational assessment tools to determine transferable skills.
Workshops
Resume building, mock interviews, job coaching, vocational counseling, technology, advocacy, and legal rights.
Eligibility Information
- Young adults and adults with a disability, an impairment, or a limitation living in New York City.
- Young adults and adults with a long-term or chronic disability, including physical, sensory, developmental, learning, mental health and/or medical conditions, living in New York City.
For more information about CIDNY’s Department of Employment Vocational Rehabilitation services, please contact info@cidny.org or call 212-674-2300.
Empowering Your Career Journey
CIDNY is offering no-cost workshops catered to people with disabilities to find employment and overcome barriers.
Weekly Interactive workshops will include: Current Job Market, Vocational skills, Resume writing, Interview preparation, Mock Interviews, Job Coaching, Technology in the workplace, Advocacy and Reasonable Accommodations/Legal Rights, and more.
Workshops, when scheduled, are held on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. via Zoom.
Upcoming workshops are currently scheduled for the following days: 05/1/2025, 05/15/2025, 05/22/2025, and 5/29/2025.
*Workshop topics are interchangeable based on the overall needs of attendees. Additional workshops coming soon.
You can view the flyer for upcoming workshops by CLICKING HERE.
For more information and/or to RSVP, please contact: Rachel Smith, Vocational Counselor/Youth Transition Specialist at rsmith@CIDNY.org, 646-216-8543 (office), 646-752-5822 (mobile).
Veteran Direct Care Program
Additionally, CIDNY can provide assistance to companies in Short Term Disability Cases (STD)
This helps their employees return to work (RTW) early if need be, with the assistance of Reasonable Accommodations (RA), the Employment Vocational Rehabilitation Department can collaborate with insurance companies as a third-party vendor and provide the tools needed to facilitate early return to work. Please inquire with the Director of Employment Vocational Rehabilitation for fees.
For upcoming events or workshops, please visit our Events Calendar
Other Employment Resources
Adult and Career and Continuing Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)
Assists individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development.
New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
Focuses on a simple yet incredibly important mission: helping people with developmental disabilities live richer lives. OPWDD’s vision includes supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to fully participate in their communities through employment. They value the abilities and talents each person has to contribute, and they offer a variety of supports and resources which assist individuals to achieve their employment goals.
New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB)
Provides vocational rehabilitation and other direct services to legally blind New York State residents, including children, adults, and elderly persons. NYSCB’s primary objective is to assist participants in achieving economic self-sufficiency and full integration into society.
Workforce1 Career Centers
Prepares and helps all New Yorkers find jobs by helping write resumes and having interviewing workshops, training local residents to acquire skills in growing fields, and connecting job seekers to employers with open positions.