This document summarizes the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI), a program that provides free services to assist individuals with disabilities in Illinois to achieve their career, employment, and training goals. The services include resume writing, skills assessments, career training, financial counseling, transportation assistance, and access to computers and other resources. To qualify, individuals must be Illinois residents between ages 14-64 with a physical or mental disability. The document describes how to apply online or by starter application.

1. Disability employment initiative
Services to assist persons with a disability to reach
career, employment, and training goals.

2. Did you know that a disability is defined as one or
more of the following?
• A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one
or more major life activities. For example, this could include
working, talking, hearing, seeing, caring for one's self.
• A record of such an impairment.
• A characteristic that others view as an impairment. For
example, a person that has severe facial scarring.

3. • Are you a person with a disability?
• Are you trying to achieve your career, training,
and employment goals?
Can you answer yes to the next two questions?
If so, we may be able to help you through
the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI).

4. This program is for Illinois residents:
 With a disability; and
 Between the ages of 14-64.
o Ages 18-64 for the following counties:
o Lake
o Franklin
o Jackson
o Jefferson
o Perry
o Williamson
o Ages 14-24 for the following counties:
o DuPage
o Northern Cook

5. Free services offered to individuals with disabilities through Illinois workNet include:
Employment Search
• Resume writing
• Skills and interest assessments
• Universally Accessible Resource Center - This include computers with internet access, screen reading
and text enlargement software, Video and CapTel Phones, copy and fax machines.
Training
• Career preparation
• Educational opportunities
• On-the-job training
Financial Counseling and Assistance
• Work incentives for SSI/SSDI benefits and Medicaid
• Tax credits
• Budgeting and saving
Support Services
• Transportation
• Child care
• Tools/supplies and adaptive equipment

6. You have two options for getting started:
Option 1 - Complete the full online
application on your own or have
a family member or personal
agent complete it for you. It
takes about 10-20 minutes to
complete. You do not have to
complete it all at one time. You
can save it and come back later.
This will give us complete
information to begin assisting
you right away.
Option 2 – Complete the starter application
so that we can contact you and
build a relationship over time.
Start the application today at www.illinoisworknet.com/aboutDEI

7. Illinois workNet Centers are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities at
Illinois workNet Centers.
Sponsored by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training
Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S.
Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or
implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy
of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is
copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-
commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
11/2015