This document will provide a perspective on partnerships with employers to assist individuals with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and retain employment. Effective partnerships between state VR agencies and employers lead to effective services for individuals with disabilities, which in turn lead to qualified applicants for employment opportunities in the competitive labor market. In addition, cooperative arrangements and relationships between state VR agencies and other public and nonprofit agencies lead to expanded services and resources for individuals with disabilities. When the partners work collaboratively, employers benefit by having a relationship with a source of qualified employees, while state VR agencies and other service providers benefit by having a relationship with a source of employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Effective partnerships are often difficult to achieve due to different perspectives of the partners.
Rehabilitation service providers may lack the knowledge and experience to thoroughly appreciate the world and environment of the employer. Similarly, the employers may lack the knowledge and experience to understand the services and resources available through state VR agencies and other service providers. This dichotomy can and should be overcome through the development of effective partnerships which are mutually beneficial and cost-effective to make participation and effort worthwhile for all of the partners.