Employment Services for People with Disabilities

Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for competitive employment and more independent living. If you have a disability and want to find a job, keep working or advance professionally, EIPD can help you chart your path to a career with a future in North Carolina. EIPD can provide counseling, education, training, job placement assistance, assistive technology and many other services, depending on what you need to meet your goals for competitive, integrated employment. For more information contact your local office to speak to a counselor.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for services if you:

  • Have a disability that affects your ability to find a job, keep working or advance at work
  • Require services to overcome a disability-related barrier to employment success

There is no cost to apply or to find out if you are eligible for services and we provide services statewide. Find a local office near you to learn more and apply for services.

You are presumed eligible for services and may qualify for special incentives if you have a “Ticket to Work” or receive Social Security Administration (SSI or SSDI) benefits. Call 919-855-3587 for more information and to speak to benefits counselor.

Employment Services for Eligible Consumers

In collaboration with a counselor you will establish a goal for competitive integrated employment based on your unique skills and abilities and plan the services needed to achieve that goal. Your Individualized Plan for Employment may include some of the services listed below:

  • Career assessments and counseling
  • Education and career training
  • Job-readiness training
  • Supported employment
  • Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
  • Assistive technology evaluations, equipment and training
  • Rehabilitation engineering services
  • Job placement assistance
  • Job coaching
  • Self-employment assistance

For more information, download the Individualized Plan for Employment Handbook.

Youth and Student Services

EIPD empowers young people with disabilities to explore career options, set goals for their future and overcome challenges they may face along the way. Learning about education, competitive integrated employment, and disability-related programs and services helps young people better understand their options and make informed choices about their future. 

In partnership with local schools and community service providers, we offer pre-employment transition services to help students with disabilities prepare for life after high school. Pre-ETS include a variety of activities like counseling on post-secondary options and job exploration, instruction in self-advocacy, workplace readiness training, and work-based learning opportunities. 

Eligibility for Pre-ETS:

  • Must have a documented disability
  • Must be at least 14 years old
  • Must be enrolled in a secondary educational program
  • Requires a referral from school and signed consent form

For young people with disabilities who need additional support to successfully transition from high school to college, career, and adult life, we provide customized case management services. Eligible young people will work with a counselor to create an Individualized Plan for Employment that specifies the services and supports they require to achieve their unique goals.

Eligibility for Transition Services:

  • Must be at least 14 years old
  • Must have a disability that creates a barrier to successful employment in a community job
  • require the help of EIPD to achieve an employment goal
  • Application and eligibility determination required

Youth and Student Services

Employment Services for People who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Specialized counselors serve people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing statewide. Call 919-855-3579 (TTY) for a referral to a local office near you.

Employment Services for People Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Late-Deafened

Your Rights

The North Carolina Client Assistance Program (NCCAP) helps people understand and access rehabilitation services leading to employment and greater community participation. For more information, call 1-800-215-7227 or visit their website.

NCCAP Independent Advocate

Additional Information

Value Realized
Skills, Experiences, Options
Individualized Plan for Employment Handbook
Job-Seeker's Toolkit
Client Assistance Program