GLOSSARY
A
Accommodation Changes or adjustments that help meet a person’s individual needs. Examples include getting extra time for training, taking a test orally instead of in writing and working one-on-one with a coworker. See natural supports and reasonable accommodation for more.
Apprenticeship An industry-driven career pathway to obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction and credentials. Workers have supervised on-the-job training.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Also called autism. A condition characterized by a broad range of challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication.
Autistic A term that many people who meet the criteria for ASD have adopted to describe their differences.
C
Career Assessment Quesitionaires to find out what you like and don't like and to measure your skills.
D
Disclosure The act of telling someone about your autism or other disability. There are generally three types of disclosure: nondisclosure, soft disclosure and hard disclosure.
E
Employment agency A company contracted to hire and staff employees for other companies.
Employment rights Refers to all employees' fundamental rights in the workplace. Those with disabilities are protected under the American Disabilities Act of 1990 and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Employment specialist A vocational rehabilitation (VR) professional who assists individuals with the most severe disabilities with gaining and maintaining work using an individualized supported employment approach; sometimes called a job coach.
Entrepreneur/entrepreneurial An individual who takes an idea or product and turns it into a business.
F
Financial independence A financial goal to make enough money to cover living expenses without having to work or earn an income.
Financing The process of securing funds for making purchases or engaging in business activities.
G
Grants General term for funds received that are not expected to be repaid.
H
Health insurance Also called health coverage or a health plan. Helps pay for medical services for you and your family.
I
Internship The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience.
J
Job coach Person who assists individuals with disabilities to find and maintain employment; sometimes called an employment specialist. Job coaches provide one-on-one training tailored to the needs of the individual.
L
Loan An amount of money borrowed which is expected to be paid back, typically with interest.
M
Mentor An individual with experience and knowledge who acts as an advisor or coach for a less experienced person, sometimes called a mentee. A job mentor’s role is to help their mentee succeed in their job and career.
Mission statement A concise explanation of an organization’s reason for existence which describes its purpose, intention and overall objectives. The mission statement serves to communicate purpose and direction to employees, customers, vendors and other stakeholders.
N
Natural supports Strategies that workers and managers use on a regular basis with all of their colleagues in the workplace, regardless of whether or not they have a disability. These allow everyone to be treated the same.
Network A group of people you have or develop who shares your personal interests, who can help you gain new experiences and skills and/or with whom you can help in their personal and professional goals. Networking is the process of intentionally seeking out others to exchange interests in hopes of adding them to your network.
R
Reasonable accommodation Any modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that would allow an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job functions, or enjoy equal access to benefits available to other individuals in the workplace.
Recommendation letter A formal letter written by a former or current teacher, employer or close contact to vouch for a student, employee or close contact’s capabilities, character and qualities. The person writing the letter should indicate their relationship to the person they are recommending, observations about their character and why they are qualified for a position.
Rideshare service/ridesharing A service that matches passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire through websites and mobile apps.
S
Self-advocacy Being able to communicate your needs and preferences to others. It includes understanding your needs and legal rights, knowing what help and support you need, and communicating your needs to others.
Service provider Provide a wide range of services or supports to individuals and employers to ensure success once on the job. Service providers play a key role in helping individuals with disabilities find work and employers find talent to match their business needs.
Soft skills Non-technical skills that relate to how you work and interact with other people. Commonly noted soft skills include: communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
V
Video conference Meeting with two or more participants who are participating from video-enabled devices, like laptops, tablets or mobile phones.
Visual learner Learning best when interacting with information presented as visual images, such as photos, graphics, colors, maps and diagrams, among others.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) A professional who is a fundamental partner in transition who can assist by providing guidance and counseling, vocational assessment, job placement and/or other services such as supported employment for those with severe disabilities.
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