Customized Employment
The US Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, has established a Customized Employment initiative to build the capacity of workforce systems to serve all customers, including individuals with disabilities.
According to ODEP, successful customized employment is built on four key elements:
1. Meeting the job seeker’s individual needs and interests.
2. Using a personal representative to assist and potentially represent the individual. This can be a counselor, job developer, advocate, employment specialist, or other qualified professional.
3. Negotiating successfully with employers.
4. Building a system of ongoing supports for the job seeker.
