Employment

We advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to seek competitive employment, and maintain access to relevant services and information.

We work to ensure that:

adults with disabilities in day habilitation and sheltered work programs are given opportunities to engage in competitive employment
people with disabilities have access to information, advice and representation in the area of rehabilitation services
beneficiaries of social security are not subjected to employment discrimination
students with disabilities have access to Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), particularly related to LRS transition obligations under the Workforce Investment and Opportunities Act (WIOA)
beneficiaries of Social Security disability benefits have access to benefits planning through the Work Incentives Planning & Assistance program (WIPA)
formerly incarcerated people with disabilities have assistance in combating employment and resource barriers to achieve long term financial security

This video produced by Rooted in Rights, and posted by our parent organization, National Disability Rights Network explains your rights to employment accommodations:

DRLA Lunch & Learn webinar: 9.29.22 – Overview of Laws Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Based on Disability

On September 29th, 2022, DRLA’s Interim Executive Director, Ronald Lospennato, delivered this presentation as part of our Lunch & Learn online webinar series that explains how laws including the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protect you from being discriminated against on the basis of your disability–along with information on reasonable accommodations, documenting employer discrimination, and more.

ASL Interpretation provided by New Orleans Sign Language Services:

Legal

Your issue may be opened as a case, or you may receive information/referral sources to help solve your issue.

PABSS

Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) assists beneficiaries of Social Security with barriers to employment. Specifically, PABSS helps beneficiaries draft and submit complaints regarding disability discrimination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, reviews and investigates allegations of employment discrimination, programmatic access issues, and other barriers to employment. Read more ABOUT PABSS

Read more information about which cases we can and cannot take. READ OUR LEGAL FAQS

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Programs

CAP

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) provides assistance and information as well as advocacy to people with disabilities who are getting or applying for services under the Rehabilitation Act. Programs included are Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living Services and Projects with private firms. Each state and territory in the US has its own program. Read more ABOUT CAP

FAIR

The Financial Access Inclusion and Resources program (FAIR) provides financial coaching and case management services to assist formerly incarcerated people with disabilities in combating employment and resource barriers to achieve long term financial security. Read more ABOUT FAIR

WIPA

Louisiana’s Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) program provides free assistance to people who receive Social Security Disability Benefits and want to work. DRLA provides comprehensive benefits guidance to help beneficiaries make informed decisions on going to work, or working more. Read more ABOUT WIPA