What Can DORS Do For You? Darlene Peregoy Program Manager, Business Relations Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services darlene.peregoy@maryland.gov; 410-554-9408 Introduce presenters Introduce DORS – State agency under the Department of Education; DORS supports the employment and economic independence of people with disabilities. Dual approach: Help MD businesses recruit and retain qualified employees with disabilities. Assist individuals with disabilities to find and maintain employment by providing career counseling, technological accommodations if necessary, employment and skills training, job search and placement services, and job coaching if necessary. As a caveat, we’re not lawyers and can’t give legal advice, but we can share from our experiences and understanding of the ADA.

Goals Background on the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services Services DORS provides to individuals Services DORS provides to businesses, including federal agencies Recruitment Assistance/Schedule A, internships, and reasonable accommodations Key points of contact

DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES (dors) State agency under the Maryland State Department of Education DORS provides programs and services that help people with significant disabilities become successfully employed Dual approach: individuals with disabilities and businesses

Services to individuals Eligibility Individualized Plan for Employment Counseling Employment and Skills Training Rehabilitation Technology Services Job Search and Placement Job Coaching and Supported Employment Workplace Accommodations Services

Locations DORS has offices throughout Maryland Some are co-located with DLLR at the “One-Stop” workforce centers Workforce and Technology Center *Workforce Services *Rehabilitation Technology Services *Support Services *Work Readiness and Career Training

Services to Businesses Recruitment Assistance – Pre-screening applicants Provide funding for On-the-Job training Internships Guidance on federal and state tax credits Serve as a resource for disability and employment matters

Federal Agencies Recruitment Assistance - Schedule A Internships Reasonable Accommodations/Worksite Services Partner for Disability, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Programs

Schedule A All DORS consumers are Schedule A “eligible” Schedule A certification letter Job openings can be shared with DORS Business Services Representatives, who can serve as a Single Point of Contact Pre-screen candidates Assist in the on-boarding process Follow-along support

Internships Partner with federal agencies to develop programs or individual internships Benefits – to intern and agency Provide accommodations and job coach (if needed) Some examples: Department of Treasury, Social Security Administration (VRIP), Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture Many interns are now federal employees!

Reasonable Accommodations Interns New hires Retention Assistive Technology DORS Rehabilitation Technology Services – worksite services

Building relationships Connect! Let us know how we can help DORS Business Relations Branch Regional Business Services Representatives

Business services representatives Meara Ziyad – Western Maryland Sallie Sarelas - Southern Maryland Steven Shields – Baltimore City Jessie Thomas – Eastern Shore Fred Keene – Central Maryland Nancy Forsythe – D.C. Suburbs Joseph Obasi – Statewide (OBVS)

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