Workforce Solutions Panhandle provides Priority Service to individuals with disabilities. This ensures priority access to employment services, individualized support, and reasonable accommodations to help you prepare for, find, and keep a job.
Whether you are looking for your first job, returning to work, transitioning from school, or exploring a new career path, our team is here to support you. All services are free, confidential, and available to individuals with disabilities.
How We Support You
We provide individualized assistance to help you:
- Explore careers and training opportunities
- Build job skills and prepare for employment
- Search for jobs and connect with inclusive employers
- Request accommodations for job search, training, or services
- Navigate Vocational Rehabilitation and partner programs
- Understand your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Transition from school to work (for youth and families)
Need an accommodation? Simply let us know at any point during your visit or virtual service. Support is available throughout your experience.
What Priority Service Means
Priority Service ensures that individuals with disabilities:
- Receive priority access to staff-assisted employment and training services
- Are served before non-priority customers when resources are limited
- Can request reasonable accommodations at any stage of service delivery
Note: Priority Service applies to both in-person and virtual services.
Getting Started
- Register for Work: Create or update your account on WorkInTexas.com to search jobs and access services
- Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): VR services help you prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment through career counseling, training, and assistive technology
- Start My VR Self-Referral – Submit an online referral to start your application today
- Student Transition: If you are a student (ages 14–22), connect with our Student HireAbility Navigator to plan your move from school to the workforce
- Protect Your Benefits: If you receive SSI or SSDI, learn how to work while protecting your benefits and healthcare
- SSA Ticket to Work Program – Work while keeping Social Security benefits
- Texas Medicaid Buy-In Program – Keep Medicaid while working
Accommodations and Accessibility
Workforce Solutions Panhandle offers a wide range of accommodations and auxiliary aids, including:
- Assistive technology
- Screen readers and magnification tools
- Large-print or alternative-format materials
- Sign language interpretation
- Help completing applications or forms
- Physical accessibility support
Relay Texas:
TDD: 1-800-735-2989 | Voice: 1-800-735-2988 or 7-1-1
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. Services may include:
- Career counseling
- Training and education
- Assistive technology
- Job placement
- Support for students transitioning from school to work
Start an application for Vocational Rehabilitation (Start My VR)
Student HireAbility Navigator Program
The Student HireAbility Navigator supports students with disabilities, generally ages 14–22, as they transition from school into employment or postsecondary opportunities. Navigators work with schools, families, and community partners to improve transition services across the region.
Additional youth transition resources:
- National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth – Resources for school-to-work transition.
Understanding Disability Disclosure
You decide whether to disclose your disability. Disclosure may be helpful if:
- You need a reasonable accommodation
- You want access to disability-specific programs or services
- You are applying under Schedule A or other disability hiring pathways
Disclosure is voluntary at Workforce Solutions. Staff can help you understand your options and rights.
Helpful guidance:
- The Do’s and Don’ts of Disclosure (Job Accommodation Network) – Best practices for sharing your disability
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – Workplace support and accommodation tools
- EEOC Disability Discrimination Guidance – Understand your protections under federal law
- Schedule A Hiring Authority – Federal hiring program for people with disabilities
Know Your Rights
Individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination in hiring, training, and employment. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees when a need is known.
Helpful resources include:
- ADA.gov – U.S. Department of Justice guidance
- EEOC Disability Discrimination Guidance
- EEOC Laws Protecting Individuals with Disabilities
- U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
Practical Employment Resources
Finding and Keeping a Job
- WorkInTexas.com Job Search and Services – Free job search and applications
- Texas Workforce Commission – Find Disability Employment Services
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Texas Workforce Commission – Specialized employment services
- Start My VR – Online self-referral
Job Accommodations and Workplace Support
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – Practical tools and guidance
- Requesting Reasonable Accommodations Under the ADA (JAN)
Working While Receiving Benefits
- Social Security Ticket to Work Program – Maintain benefits while working
- Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) – Benefits counseling
Federal Employment Opportunities
- Schedule A Hiring Authority – Non-competitive federal hiring
- USAJOBS Help for Individuals with Disabilities – Apply for federal jobs
- Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) – Federal internships for students and recent graduates
Texas Disability Resources
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services – State employment services
- Texas Health and Human Services Disability Services – Health and disability services
- Texas ABLE Program – Tax-advantaged savings accounts for disability expenses
- Texas Medicaid Buy-In Program – Maintain healthcare while working
- Disability Rights Texas – Legal advocacy
Local Panhandle Resources
- Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) – Regional workforce initiatives
- Panhandle Independent Living Center – Peer support and advocacy
- Texas Panhandle Centers – Behavioral health and IDD services
- ADVO – Special Needs Advocacy
- 2-1-1 Texas Panhandle – Health, housing, food, and transportation assistance.
- ACT-Connect – Accessible public transportation
- Panhandle Community Services Transportation – Regional transportation support
Youth and Transition Resources
- Workforce Solutions Panhandle Young-Adult Training Services – Specialized career training, paid work experience, and guidance for young adults in the Texas Panhandle entering the local workforce
- National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth – School-to-work resources for youth
- Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) – Federal internships for students and graduates
- Youth Employment Rights (EEOC) – Rights guidance for young workers
We’re Here to Help
If you have questions, need accommodations, or want support with your job search, contact Workforce Solutions Panhandle. Our team can provide one-on-one guidance and connect you to the right services to reach your employment goals.
