Employment - Disability Services - Department of Health and Human Services (2024)

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Employment Search Support / Education & Enrichment

Hiring Preference Requirements for a Person with a Disability:
1. Must be rated and placed in the highest category on the eligible list;
2. Must have a developmental disability, severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability within the meaning of 5 CFR 213.2102(u), the criteria used by the Federal Office of Personnel Management for noncompetitive appointment to Federal merit system positions under its special hiring authority; and
3. Must be certified by the Maryland Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services or equivalent out-of-state vocational rehabilitation agency as meeting the above standard of disability.

Non-Competitive Hiring - Montgomery County Office of Human Resources
If you have a permanent, severe physical, psychiatric or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity and are certified by Maryland Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (or an equivalent out of State Agency), you may meet the eligibility requirements under the Non-Competitive Hiring Program.To create a profile, submit documentation of your disability (this is required) and upload your resume into the Hiring Initiative Registration for Employment Database (HIRED).

Project SEARCH - Montgomery County Office of Human Resources
Project SEARCH is a program dedicated to providing education and training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through an innovative workforce and career development model that benefits the individual, the workplace and community. The program is for transitioning youth with disabilities (high school students or recent high school graduates) and young adults aged between 18 and 28, receiving funding from DDA. The unique nature of Project SEARCH is that during the 30-week program year, the interns are supported by a full time, business-based support team of job coaches provided by SEEC and a full time instructor provided by Ivymount School. The onsite team provides the daily support and infrastructure to the interns and supervisors to ensure overall success in a variety of County Departments and partnering agencies, including Montgomery Parks, City of Gaithersburg, City of Rockville and Montgomery College.

Employment Search Support

Maryland State Department of Education - Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Wheaton Office
11002 Veirs Mill Road #605
Wheaton, MD 20902
301-306-3600 (Voice) • 301-200-8084 (Videophone) • E-mail:

Montgomery College Workforce Development & Continuing Education Courses
Offers a wide range of noncredit classes for individuals in career transition, and those updating technical skills, as well as those seeking knowledge enrichment. Courses includeskill development, professional certifications and employment advancement.

Montgomery College Challenge Program
The Challenge Program provides unique open enrollment enrichment courses for adults with developmental disabilities to help them function more independently in their homes, at work, and in the community. The courses are designed to enhance skills, develop new skills, and/or hone skills students may have already acquired. Of equal importance, students will have the opportunity to increase their social and community awareness by learning at Montgomery College.Students work very closely with Disability Support Services, (DSS) counselor to confidentially disclose their disability so that they received the appropriate accommodations to be successful in the classroom.This program is offered on the Rockville campus of Montgomery College.

Montgomery County Public Libraries
Offers free online coursesin software, technology, creative, business skills, web design, photo editing, test preparation, job search, grant writing, creative writing and much more. These courses include bothGaleandLynda.comofferings.