Glossary
Accommodation: A modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things usually are done that enables an individual with a disability an opportunity to attain the same level of performance or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are available to an average similarly situated employee without a disability.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Legislation signed in 1990 and amended in 2009 that provides qualified individuals with disabilities protection from discrimination in employment, housing, education, and service delivery.
ASPIRE: Program to assist individuals who receive TANF or Supplemental Nutritional Assistance (formerly food stamps) to find employment.
Assistive Technology (AT): Is "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec 2202(2)." RESNA
CareerCenter: One-stop employment center providing resources for job seekers and employers including workshops, Job Bank, computers and copiers, and specialized services.
Community Rehabilitation Provider (CRP): Organizations and individuals who have been approved to provide support to individuals with disabilities in employment. Staff receive specialized training to be certified as an employment specialist or job coach. They provide a variety of services including job development, coaching, training and support.
Community Work Incentive Coordinators: Positions funded by a grant from the Social Security Administration to educate individuals about the work incentives for those receiving SSI and SSDI. Provided in Maine by Maine Medical Center Department of Vocational Services.
CRP: See Community Rehabilitation Provider
CWIC: see Community Work Incentive Coordinators
DHHS OACPD: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities
DHHS OAMHS: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adult Mental Health Services
DOL: Department of Labor -- same name used at the federal (US DOL) and state (ME DOL) levels
Employment specialist: see Community Rehabilitation Provider
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ; Enacted in 1975 is sets standards and requirements for the education of children with disabilities from birth to age 20 in public schools
Job developer/coach: see Community Rehabilitation Provider
Maximus: Contracted agency that manages the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program
PASS: See Plan for Achieving Self-Support
Rehabilitation Technology: See Assistive Technology
Plan for Achieving Self-Support: Social Security provision to help individuals with disabilities return to work.
SSA: Social Security Administration
SSDI: Social Security Disability Income paid by the Social Security Administration
SSI: Supplemental Security Income paid by the Social Security Administration
TACE: See Technical Assistance and Continuing Education
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a DHHS program to provide short-term assistance
Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE): These are regional centers across the country funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide information, training, and technical assistance in Vocational Rehabilitation.
Ticket to Work (TTW): Social Security work incentive program
Vocational Rehabilitation: State and federally funded program to assist eligible individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain employment.
VR: See Vocational Rehabilitation
WIA: See Workforce Investment Act
WIC: See Women, Infants and Children
Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program: Benefit provided via DHHS to provide nutritional advice, support, information and assistance to children and families.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA): Federal regulation that created "one-stop" CareerCenters. WIA provides funding for training and job placement for qualifying individuals