Employers committed to the inclusion of qualified people with
disabilities in the competitive workplace and as consumers

Disability Navigators

Oregon Employers have a valuable resource in Worksource Oregon's Disability Navigator program. Throughout the state, talented individuals are available to answer questions, provide information and direct employers to resources that can help them to better employ people with disabilities. They can help employers find ways to recruit people with disabilities, find effective job accommodation solutions, and to identify eligibility for tax benefits related to improving facility access or making workplace accommodations. As an Overview, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What is the Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative?
Why a Navigator?
What are the duties of a Navigator?
What Services do Navigators provide?
Where do I find a Navigator?

What is the Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative?

It is a federally funded program sponsored by the US Department of Labor (DOL) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).  Navigators provide expertise and serve as valuable resources to the workforce investment systems and individuals with disabilities throughout the state.  The Navigator positions are intended to increase employment and self-sufficiency for persons with disabilities by linking them to employers and by facilitating access to supports and services that will provide the transition to employment.

Oregon was originally awarded a two-year grant that expires June 30, 2006.  In July 2005, Oregon received additional funding from DOL that has been tagged as a “down payment” for program costs incurred June 30, 2006 through June 30, 2007 (PY06).  Oregon intends to apply for the additional funds needed for PY06 in the spring of 2006 if the funding is made available. 

The grant was awarded to the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD) and is jointly managed by CCWD and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS).  CCWD has subcontracted with the seven Local Workforce Investment Areas (LWIAs) located throughout Oregon. There is one State Lead, an administrative position employed by CCWD, and ten Navigators employed by the LWIAs.

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Why a Navigator?

Like others needing assistance in finding employment, people with disabilities have often been subject to a system that is fragmented and difficult to navigate.  Connecting with disability resources is in-line with the central goal for the One-Stop system: providing a central location for information and services for job seekers and employers.  As with other job seekers, One-Stop Career Centers can play an important role in bringing together programs and resources for people with disabilities in a user-friendly system that simplifies and expands access to services.

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What are the duties of a Navigator?

The Navigator serves as an expert on workforce development issues and policies impacting individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment, skill development, job retention assistance, or career advancement through the One-Stop Career Center system.  The Navigator develops linkages and collaborates on an ongoing basis with employers to facilitate job placements for employment support programs. The Navigator also serves as a resource to the workforce investment community within their service area to ensure the availability of comprehensive knowledge on Federal, State, local and private programs that impact the ability of individuals with disabilities to enter and remain in the workforce.  The Navigator facilitates universal access to the One-Stop system for individuals with disabilities.

Using a “consumer choice” model, the Navigator , as necessary, works in tandem with case management/One-Stop staff to provide services to individuals with disabilities, including SSI and DI beneficiaries.  When working with youth, the Navigator is available and prepared to work in tandem with case management/One-Stop staff to assist these customers in accessing the individualized supports needed to successfully transition to adulthood.

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What Services do Navigators provide?

To the One-Stop Centers:

• Answering questions from One-Stop staff concerning service delivery for customers with disabilities (such as advice on meeting the needs of a customer who is deaf)

• Specialized assistance and resources to enable the One-Stop Career Center to meet the specific needs of customers with disabilities (such as expertise related to job accommodations)

• As a resource for services beyond (but not in place of) what the One-Stop system can typically provide (such as specialized transportation, ongoing assistance with benefits management, or intensive post-placement job site support)

• As a resource to customers for information and resources beyond what the One-Stop system is able to provide

To the Job Search Customer:

• Providing information about programs and services and how they impact the search for employment

• Help in navigating the challenges of seeking employment

• Providing resource & referral information to job seekers to ensure job search assistance and support

To Employers:        

• Resource for information on assistive technology and accommodation
• Introduction to an underutilized labor pool
• Tax Savings Information

To The Community:

• Universal Access to Services
• Disability Awareness and Education
• Systems Change
• Economic Balance

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Where do I find a Navigator?

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WorkSource Oregon is an equal opportunity program and offers; auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities, alternate formats and language assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency free of cost upon request. Contact your nearest WorkSource Oregon Center for assistance.