Maine Dept. of Labor Celebrates Anniversary of the ADA and Elimination of Vocational Rehabilitation Wait List

July 21, 2025

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2025

Maine Dept. of Labor Celebrates Anniversary of the ADA and Elimination of Vocational Rehabilitation Wait List

AUGUSTA - July is not only Disability Pride Month, but also marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA says that regardless of ability, everyone deserves fair and equal access to services, programs, and activities. The Maine Department of Labor not only recognizes the strength, resilience, and diversity of the disability community, but also celebrates its ability to serve more Mainers with disabilities through its Vocational Rehabilitation program.

"Thirty-five years of the ADA has made it possible for people like us with disabilities to preserve our dignity, live independently, and participate fully in our society; however, there is always room for improvement," said Jason Angel, State Accessibility Coordinator.

The ADA serves to create a more inclusive society through standards, legal protections, and increased awareness. While the ADA has led to significant progress, continued efforts are essential to protect these hard-won rights. In 2020, the Maine legislature - https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_129th/billtexts/HP134001.asp eliminated exemptions from the minimum wage law that allowed the payment of sub-minimum wages to individuals with disabilities.

Maine's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) - https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr/ , within the Maine Department of Labor, is a program that helps people who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities prepare for, find, and advance in employment.

People like "Sue" - a 53-year-old woman who had left the field of nursing due to a workplace injury, and for many years she believed that employment was not an option for her due to the numerous barriers she faced. Conversations with her VR Counselor included steps needed to address the barriers that she was facing so that she could pursue employment opportunities. Sue is now working as a nurse at a local nursing home, earning $45.00 per hour with full benefits. She no longer needs Social Security Disability and is in the process of purchasing her first home.

This is just one example of how DVR can help people with disabilities overcome barriers to employment. In recent years, some new vocational rehabilitation clients have had to wait for their services to begin because of high demand and available funding. In 2023, the Governor and the Maine Legislature authorized additional funding and staff for DVR. Since that time, DVR has worked tirelessly to eliminate a waitlist that had hovered at over 500 people. As a result, as of July 1, 2025, there is no longer a waitlist for services, and new clients are being accepted.

DVR offers a monthly virtual orientation to Vocational Rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. Orientation is an opportunity to learn about services and how VR can support you in obtaining, maintaining, and advancing in employment. It is offered every third Thursday of the month from 9-10 am. No pre-registration is necessary, and captioning and ASL are available.

This month, multiple summer programs for Maine youth with disabilities have also taken place:

• 11 students just celebrated the conclusion of Venturing into Independence and Building Skills for Employment (VIBE), a two-week residential program at the University of Southern Maine's Gorham campus that gave them a chance to explore college campuses and businesses.

• The Maine Apprenticeship Program (MAP) took 9 students to explore Maine registered apprenticeship opportunities.

• At the beginning of this week, a cohort of 32 students left with staff on the Northern College Bus Tour, where they will get to explore Maine college options, learn independence skills, and speak to college students with disabilities about their experience. The Southern College Bus Tour took place a few weeks prior, with 37 students participating.

More information on the monthly orientation and how to apply for services can be found here - https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr/vr.shtml