Glossary
CWIC: Community Work Incentive Coordinators are 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
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 which provides qualified individuals with disabilities protection from discrimination in employment, housing, education, and service delivery.
ASPIRE: program to assist individuals who receive TANIF or Supplemental Nutritional Assistance (formerly food stamps) to find employment.
Assistive Technology (AT): "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
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
CareerCenter: One stop employment center providing resources for job seekers, employers including workshops, Job Bank, computers and copiers, and specialized services
CRP: see Community Rehabilitation Provider
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
Job developer / coach: see Community Rehabilitation Provider
Maximus: contracted agency which manages the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program
PASS: Plan for Achieving Self support
Rehabilitation Technology: See Assistive Technology (AT).
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: Technical Assistance and Continuing Education. 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.
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a DHHS program to provide short term assistance
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: Women Infants and Children: 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