Customized Employment Guide > Overview

What is Customized Employment?

Customized employment means individualizing the employment relationship between employees and employers in ways "that meet the needs of both. It is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, needs, and interests of the person with a disability, and is also designed to meet the specific needs of the employer. It may include employment developed through job carving, self-employment or entrepreneurial initiatives, or other job development or restructuring strategies that result in job responsibilities being customized and individually negotiated to fit the needs of individuals with a disability". (Federal Register 2002)

Tips

1. Getting started - do team members believe everyone can work?
2. Can the team accept a variety of employment outcomes for an individual - working 10 hours a week, 20 hours a week, part time business within a business, part time self employment?
3. Self Determination is a key component in Customized Employment. Can all team members support participant and family’s job goals even when they may disagree?

Links

Customized Employment Strategies, Michael Callahan - free 45 minute webcast from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
http://www.worksupport.com/training/webcastDetails.cfm/12

From Segregated to Customized, free 45 minute webcast from VCU
http://www.worksupport.com/training/webcastDetails.cfm/136

Customized Self Employment from VCU
http://www.worksupport.com/training/webcastDetails.cfm/86

Fact Sheet on Customized Employment by T-TAP
http://www.t-tap.org/strategies/factsheet/odepfactsheet.htm

Office of Disability Employment Policy, Why Customized Employment
http://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/workforce/CustomizedEmployment/practical/edge.htm

Office of Disability Employment Policy, What is CE?
http://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/workforce/CustomizedEmployment/what/index.htm

Part I and Part II Portfolio of Customized Employment
http://www.onestops.info/i.php?i=112

CE and Transition: 10 Steps for Vocational Success, Cary Griffin
http://www.mntat.org/resources/index.asp