The DOL is
responsible for helping people with employment and workforce issues. The
DOL maintains Career Centers throughout the state and provides unemployment
compensation insurance.
The Maine Department of Labor
(DOL) provides services to people with disabilities who are determined
to be eligible through the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS).
BRS is responsible for helping people with disabilities achieve independent
living and employment. BRS also helps employers learn how to accommodate
employees and customers with disabilities. BRS' mission is to bring
about full access to employment, independence and community integration
for people with disabilities.
The people served are:
- Adults with disabilities
who are seeking employment
- Transition age teens training
or seeking employment
- Children and adults who
are blind or have visual impairments
- Children and adults who
are deaf or hard of hearing
BRS divisions, programs and services include:
Division
of Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR)
Division
of Deafness (DOD)
Division
for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Division
of Vocational Rehabilitation Program
The Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, also known as "VR" or "Voc Rehab," assists people
who have disabilities to get and keep jobs. VR helps people who have physical,
mental, or emotional disabilities. The division has two programs, the
General Vocational Rehabilitation Program and the Independent Living Services
program.
General
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
This program is accessed through regional CareerCenters
and services may include:
- assessment to determine
vocational rehabilitation needs
- assistive technology
- counseling and guidance
- further education and training
- home modification
- job search and coaching
- placement assistance
- physical and mental rehabilitation
- referral to other social services
- supported employment
Independent
Living Services Program
The Independent Living Services (ILS) Program assists people who have
significant disabilities to live more independently in their homes and
communities. The program provides and arranges needed IL services
subject to the availability of funds. The program is also an advocacy
program for people with disabilities and their families. Alpha
One Independent Living Center is the access point for this program.
Services may include:
- Purchase of goods and services
to achieve independent living (within a $5,000 lifetime budget)
- Information and referral
- Individual independent
living skills training
- Peer counseling
Division
of Deafness (DoD)
This division provides a variety
of services for deaf citizens of Maine including information and referral,
advocacy, statewide registry, and promotion of accessibility.
Telecommunications
Devices Program (TTY)
This program assists individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to obtain
telecommunications devices, as well as other services designed to assist
the deaf community in Maine.
Division
for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DVBI)
This division provides services
to persons with severe visual impairments. Services include vocational
rehabilitation services, independent living services, education services
for children, library services, and financial services.
The
Blind Vocational Rehabilitation Program
This program is accessed through regional CareerCenters
and services may include:
- assessment to determine
vocational rehabilitation needs
- assistive technology
- counseling and guidance
- further education and
training
- home modification
- job search and coaching
- placement assistance
- physical and mental rehabilitation
- referral to other social
services
- supported employment
Independent
Living Rehabilitation (ILR) Program for Older Blind Adults
This program helps eligible blind persons overcome substantial barriers
to functioning independently in the home or community.
Education
Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
These services are funded through DBVI, but provided statewide by Catholic
Charities of Maine. Services are available for children, age birth
through 21, who are visually impaired. Services may include:
- activities of daily living
instruction
- Braille transcribing
- instruction in use of special
equipment
- low vision training
- teaching Braille
Independent Living Rehabilitation
(ILR) Program for Older Blind Adults
The program helps eligible persons who are blind overcome substantial
barriers to functioning independently in family or community. This
program is accessed through the regional Career
Centers, The Iris Network, and Alpha
One. Services may include:
- Advocacy necessary to
help individuals secure service from other agencies
- Braille Instruction
- Counseling and guidance
- Low vision services
- Orientation and mobility
services
- Rehabilitation teaching
services
- Technological aids and
assistive device training
Other
Vocational Rehabilitation Resources
Client Assistance Program
of C.A.R.E.S. is a program that provides information, assistance and advocacy
to people with disabilities who are applying for or receiving services
under programs such as Vocational Rehabilitation.
C.A.R.E.S. website: http://www.caresinc.org/index.htm
Contact
Information
DOL website: http://www.state.me.us/labor/
Phone: (207) 624-6400
DVR website: http://www.state.me.us/rehab/dvr/dvr_vr.htm
DBVI website: http://www.state.me.us/rehab/dbvi/dbvi_pgms.htm#BVRDescr
DOD website: http://www.state.me.us/rehab/dod/index.htm
BRS Central Office Mailing
Address:
150 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0150
Website: http://www.state.me.us/rehab/
Phone: (207)
624-5950 or (800) 698-4440
Toll-free TTY: (888)
755-0023
Fax: (207)
624-5980
BRS Regional Offices
(KEY:
DVR=Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DBVI = Division for the Blind
and Visually Impaired)
-
Augusta
DBVI & DVR
2 Anthony Avenue
Augusta, ME 04333-0073
Phone: (207) 624-5120
or (800) 760-1573
TTY: (800) 633-0770
-
Bangor
DBVI & DVR
45 Oak Street, Suite 1
Bangor, ME 04401-6514
Phone: (207) 561-4000
or (888) 545-8811
TTY: (800) 498-6711
-
Ellsworth
DBVI only
248 State Street, Suite 3A
Bangor, ME 04605-1850
Phone: (207) 664-2300
or (800) 371-7543
TTY: (207) 667-1576
-
Houlton
DVR only
91½ Military Street
Houlton, ME 04730
Phone: (207) 532-5300
or (800) 691-0033
TTY: (207) 532-5301
-
Lewiston
DBVI & DVR
5 Mollison Way
Lewiston, ME 04240
Phone: (207) 753-9000
or (800) 741-2991
TTY: (877) 796-9833
-
Machias
DVR only
15 Prescott Drive, Suite
2
Machias, ME 04654
Phone: (207) 255-1926
or (800) 770-7774
TTY: (207) 255-1925
-
Portland
DBVI & DVR
185 Lancaster Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 822-0400
or (800) 315-1192
TTY: (888) 817-7113
-
Presque
Isle
DBVI & DVR
66 Spruce Street, Suite 3
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Phone: (207) 760-6300
or (800) 635-0357
TTY: (207) 760-6312
-
Rockland
DBVI & DVR
279 Main Street, Suite 1
Rockland, ME 04841-9914
Phone/TTY: (207)
594-1834 or (800) 432-1680
-
Saco
DVR only
110 Main Street, Suite 1106
Saco, ME 04072
Phone: (207) 286-2600
or (800) 521-5871
TTY: (800) 492-0670
-
Skowhegan
DVR
only
140 North Avenue
P.O. Box 749
Skowhegan, ME 04976
Phone: (207) 474-4958
or (800) 760-1572
TTY: (207) 474-4907
Alpha
One
127 Main Street
South Portland, ME 04106
Phone: (800) 640-7200
TTY: (866) 906-5375
Catholic Charities Maine
P.O.
Box 10660
Portland, ME 04104-6060
Website: http://www.ccmaine.org/default.htm
Phone: (207) 781-8550
Toll-free: (800) 781-8550 (Maine only)
The Iris Network
189
Park Avenue
Portland,
ME 04102
Website: http://www.theiris.org/
Phone: (800) 715-0097
Education Services for Children
who are Blind and Visually Impaired
(4
locations)
-
1066
Kenduskeag Avenue
Bangor,
ME 04401
Phone:
(207) 941-2855
-
15
Westminster Street
Lewiston,
ME 04240
Phone:
(207) 784-0157
-
66
Western Avenue
P.O.
Box 378
Fairfield,
ME 04937
-
562
Congress Street
Portland,
ME 04101
Phone: (207) 871-7440
CareerCenters
Website:
http://www.mainecareercenter.com/
General
Phone Number: (888) 457-8883
-
Regional CareerCenters
-
CareerCenter at Augusta
2 Anthony Avenue
109 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0109
Phone: (800) 760-1573
TTY: (800) 633-0770
-
CareerCenter at Bangor
45 Oak Street, Suite 3
Bangor, ME 04401-7902
Phone: (888) 828-0568
TTY: (207) 561-4070
-
CareerCenter at Bath
34 Wing Farm Parkway
Bath, ME 04530-1515
Phone: (888) 836-3355
TTY: (207) 443-7449
-
CareerCenter at Belfast
9 Field Street, Suite 309
Belfast, ME 04915-6663
Phone: (877) 421-7917
TTY: (207) 338-4399
-
CareerCenter at Calais
P.O. Box 415
13 Beech Street
Calais, ME 04619-0415
Phone: (800) 543-0303
TTY: (207) 454-7230
-
CareerCenter at Dover-Foxcroft
1073 W. Main Street, Suite 4
Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426-0360
Phone: (800) 350-4165
TTY: (207) 564-6990
-
CareerCenter at Ellsworth
Mill Mall
248 State Street, Suite 3A
Ellsworth, ME 04605-1850
Phone: (800) 371-7543
TTY: (207) 667-1576
-
CareerCenter at Fort Kent
342 West Main Street
Fort Kent, ME 04743
Phone: (207) 834-5135
-
CareerCenter at Houlton
91 Military Street
Houlton, ME 04730-2421
Phone: (800) 691-0033
TTY: (207) 532-5301
-
CareerCenter at Lewiston
5 Mollison Way
Lewiston, ME 04240-5805
Phone: (800) 741-2991
TTY: (207) 753-9067
-
CareerCenter at Machias
15 Prescott Drive, Suite 1
Machias, ME 04654-9752
Phone: (800) 292-8929
TTY: (207) 255-1908
-
CareerCenter at Madawaska
(Aroostook County Action Program)
88 Fox Street, Suite 103
Madawaska, ME 04756-1352
Phone: (800) 432-7881
-
CareerCenter at Millinocket
One Industrial Drive, Suite 2
East Millinocket, Maine 04430
Phone: (800) 777-8173
-
CareerCenter at Newcastle
(Coastal Economic Development)
Academy Hill
P.O. Box 668
Newcastle, ME 04553-0668
Phone: (207) 563-8697
-
CareerCenter at Norway
(Western Maine Community
Action-Job Training)
274 Main Street
Norway, ME 04268-5923
Phone: (207) 743-7763
-
CareerCenter at Portland
185 Lancaster Street
Portland, ME 04101-2453
Phone: (877) 594-5627
TTY: (207) 822-0412
-
CareerCenter at Presque
Isle
66 Spruce Street, Suite 1
Presque Isle, ME 04769-3222
Phone: (800) 635-0357
TTY: (207) 760-6312
-
CareerCenter at Rockland
116 Tillson Avenue
Rockland, ME 04841-3424
Phone: (877) 421-7916
TTY: (207) 596-6251
-
CareerCenter at Rumford
35 Congress Street
Rumford, ME 04276-2096
Phone: (877) 421-7915
TTY: (207) 369-9781
-
CareerCenter at Sanford
763 Main Street
Sanford, ME 04073-3505
Phone: (800) 343-0151
TTY: (207) 490-1103
-
CareerCenter at Saco
110 Main Street, Suite 1400
Saco, ME 04072-3504
Phone: (800) 760-1570
TTY: (207) 286-2680
-
CareerCenter at Skowhegan
98 North Avenue
Skowhegan, ME 04976-0749
Phone: (800) 760-1572
TTY: (207) 474-4902
-
CareerCenter at Waterville
100 JFK Plaza
Waterville, ME 04901-5015
Phone: (207) 872-5516
TTY: (207) 873-1935
-
CareerCenter at Wilton
865 US Route 2E
Wilton, ME 04294-6649
Phone: (800) 982-4311
TTY: (207) 645-5806
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