Programs for People with Disabilities

Be sure to consult ISEEK's people with disabilities page for education and employment resources and services.

Program Name	Agency	Description	Contact Information
Day Training and Habilitation Program	Department of Human Services	These programs serve people with mental retardation and related conditions who need vocational support.	Disability Linkage Line 866.333.2466 (Voice), 800.627.3529 (TTY) Contact your local county agency
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services	Department of Human Services	Assists children and adults who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing and their families, to access the services they need to live independently in their communities.	Disability Linkage Line 866.333.2466 (Voice), 800.627.3529 (TTY) Contact your local Regional Office
Disability Determination Services (DDS)	Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development	Determines if Minnesota applicants meet federal criteria for disability cash benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income programs.	Cory Kissell Public Relations Officer cory.kissell@state.mn.us (651) 296-5179 metro (800) 657-3558 toll free (651) 297-4045
Extended Employment Programs	Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development	Provides ongoing employment support services to Minnesotans with severe disabilities or severe impairment to employment.	David Sherwood-Gabrielson Director, Extended Employment Program david.sherwood-gabrielson@state.mn.us (651) 296-9150 metro (800) 328-9095 toll free (651) 296-3900 TTY
Independent Living Services	Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development	Provides services to people with significant disabilities to enhance their ability to live independently, function in their homes and with their families, and to participate in their communities.	Bradley Westerlund brad.westerlund@state.mn.us (651) 297-2705 metro
Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD)	Department of Human Services	Allows working people with disabilities to qualify for Medical Assistance under higher income and asset limits.	Disability Linkage Line 866.333.2466 (Voice), 800.627.3529 (TTY)
Minnesota Work Incentive Connection	Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development	Provides clear, accurate information regarding the impact of work on government benefits for people with disabilities.	(651) 632-5113 metro (800) 976-6728 toll free (651) 632-5110 TTY
Vocational Rehabilitation Services	Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development	Provides basic and customized services that an eligible individual may need to achieve their employment outcome. These may include college or vocational training, job placement services, and services to assist students to go from school to work.	Connie Giles connie.giles@state.mn.us (651) 296-0535 metro
Workforce Development Services- State Services for the Blind	Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development	Ensures that persons who are blind or visually impaired (including those who have additional physical and/or mental impairments) have the rehabilitation services they need to prepare for, seek, retain and regain employment.	Dr. Pamela Brown pamela.brown@state.mn.us (651) 642-0793 metro

Source: Minnesota Inventory of Employment and Training Programs, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Page last updated in July, 2007