DOL-SSA Disability Program Navigator
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following list of DOL-SSA Disability Program Navigator Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) was put together by the National DPN Technical Assistance and Training provider, with additional contributions from key stakeholders in the DPN program. This list is not meant to be exhaustive by any means. Rather, it is illustrative of the most commonly asked questions by Disability Program Navigators. The FAQs have been reviewed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) national program office; however, this review does not constitute DOL policy. The DOL national program office serves as the administrative entity for the DOL-SSA jointly sponsored Disability Program Navigator Initiative. This list of Questions and Answers will be made available in alternate formats upon request.

(BASIC) The DPN job description is lengthy and covers such a broad range of job duties. Where do I start and how do I prioritize my duties? (Updated April 2009)

(BASIC) How do I introduce and explain my position to the staff at the One-Stop Career Centers and the Workforce Investment Board (WIB)? (Updated April 2009)

(BASIC) How do I help the One Stop Career Centers understand that I am there to help improve the system and not ‘monitor’ what they are doing wrong? Updated version: (DPN Bi-weekly FAQ—Updated April 2009. Modified from the 2005 DOL-SSA DPN FAQs)

(BASIC) How can I ensure that my One Stop Career Centers are physically accessible? (Updated April 2009)

(BASIC) How can I ensure communication access in the One-Stop system and in particular, for individuals who are d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing? (DPN Bi-weekly FAQ—Updated April 2009. Modified from the 2005 DOL-SSA DPN FAQs)

(ADVANCED) What are Video Relay Services (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), and how can video based communication services enhance access in the One-Stops for customers whose primary language is American Sign Language (or other manual sign language)? (Updated September 2009)

(BASIC) How can I help to ensure program access on all levels of One-Stop services for individuals with a wide range of disabilities and needs?(Updated September 2009)

(BASIC) How do I know what type of adaptive equipment to recommend having available in the One-Stop Career Centers? (DPN Bi-weekly FAQ—1-23-06. Modified from the 2005 DOL-SSA DPN FAQs)(Updated May 2009)

(ADVANCED) How can I work together with my local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB)? (Updated May 2009)

(BASIC) What are some training activities I can coordinate for One-Stop staff to learn how to effectively serve individuals with disabilities? (DPN Bi-weekly FAQ—4-3-06. Modified from the 2005 DOL-SSA DPN FAQs) (Updated May 2009))

(ADVANCED) Now that I have facilitated basic disability awareness and inter agency training, how can I help One-Stop staff to remember and use all of the information presented, while also continuing to learn about additional resources?(Updated May 2009)

(BASIC) How do I begin to build relationships with community service providers and sustain these relationships? (DPN Bi-weekly FAQ—2-20-06. Modified from the 2005 DOL-SSA DPN FAQs)(Updated May 2009)

(BASIC) How do I market One-Stop Career Center services and the Navigator Initiative to job seekers with disabilities and community service providers? (DPN Bi-weekly FAQ—5-15-06. Modified from the 2005 DOL-SSA DPN FAQs)(Updated May 2009)

(BASIC) How much time do I spend in the One-Stop Career Centers versus out in the community? (DPN Bi-weekly FAQ—3-20-06. Modified from the 2005 DOL-SSA DPN FAQs)(Updated May 2009)

(ADVANCED) How can I improve my public speaking and presentation skills, and what resources and training are available?

(BASIC) How can I assist individuals with disabilities to access services within the One-Stop system and in the community without doing case management? (DPN Bi-weekly FAQ—2-6-06. Modified from the 2005 DOL-SSA DPN FAQs() Updated January 2010)

(ADVANCED) How much follow-up should a Navigator and One-Stop staff do, if any, to ensure that customers get the services they need to reach their employment goals? (Updated January 2010)

(BASIC) How much one-on-one interaction should I be engaged in with individuals with disabilities? (Updated January 2010)

(BASIC) How do I represent myself to the business community and educate employers on the ADA, reasonable accommodations, and hiring/retaining individuals with disabilities? (Updated January 2010)

(BASIC) Who can I go to for support, advice, resources and problem-solving? (Updated January 2010)

(BASIC/ADVANCED) How can I guide One-Stop staff to effectively serve individuals with non-visible learning disabilities? What resources are available on reasonable accommodations and assistive technology for individuals with learning disabilities? (DPN Bi-Weekly FAQ 3-06-06)

(BASIC/ADVANCED) How can I guide One-Stop Career Center staff to work more effectively with individuals with mental health disabilities? (DPN Bi-Weekly FAQ updated March 2009)

(BASIC/ADVANCED) How can I collaborate with the Job Corps in my region and help to ensure that youth with disabilities are aware of these job training programs? (DPN Bi-Weekly FAQ 6-26-06)(Updated December 2009)

(BASIC/ADVANCED) How can I help to increase access to One-Stop Career Center services by people who are homeless and promote more collaboration with homeless programs? (DPN Bi-Weekly FAQ 7-10-06)

(ADVANCED) How can establishing a local ‘Inter agency Committee’ strengthen and sustain systems collaboration? (DPN Bi-Weekly FAQ 7-24-06)

(BASIC/ADVANCED) What types of training and employment opportunities does apprenticeship offer and how can I help to ensure that apprenticeship is considered a viable option for people with disabilities? (DPN Bi-Weekly FAQ 08-07-06)

(BASIC/ADVANCED) What information can I pass on to people with disabilities to increase financial literacy and knowledge on tax credits and asset-development strategies? (DPN Bi-Weekly FAQ 08-21-06)

(BASIC/ADVANCED) How can I help the workforce development system foster sustainable collaborations with faith-based and community organizations to address the employment needs of people with disabilities? (DPN Bi-Weekly FAQ 9-11-06)

NOTE: This list contains the original set of FAQs developed for TA and Training purposes as well as additional FAQs that were developed and sent out via the listserv on a bi-weekly basis.