Policy

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Concord, NH, October 27 – New Hampshire must “help to create more inclusive workplaces and a stronger economy,” said New Hampshire Governor Christopher T. Sununu in a proclamation marking October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Gov. Sununu also committed his state to building “an inclusive community that increases access and opportunities to all, including individuals with disabilities.”

This is an important public commitment for the more than 86,678 working-age people living with disabilities in New Hampshire. In the economic expansion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, New Hampshire had a 44.4 percent disability employment rate. By contrast, people without disabilities had an employment rate of 82.8 percent. That means that there is a 38.3 percentage point gap in labor force participation rates between people with and without disabilities. [continue reading…]

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Bismarck, ND, October 25 – “North Dakota leads the nation in the employment of people with disabilities,” said North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum in a proclamation marking October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Citing pre-pandemic statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, Gov. Burgum emphasized that “workplaces that welcome the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy.” Gov. Burgum’s statement also highlighted the critical work of the U.S. Department of Labor, the North Dakota Department of Human Services, and North Dakota’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to align programs that “support employment of people with disabilities.”

These are important public commitments for the more than 41,000 working-age people living with disabilities in North Dakota. In the economic expansion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peace Garden State had a 57.2 percent disability employment rate. By contrast, people without disabilities had an employment rate of 85.9 percent. That means that there is a 28.6 percentage point gap in labor force participation rates between people with and without disabilities. It is worth noting that before COVID, this was the second smallest gap in the whole country, eclipsed only by Wyoming. [continue reading…]

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Little Rock, AR, October 25 – “Individuals with disabilities offer a wide range of expertise and play an integral role in our efforts to build an inclusive community,” said Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson in a proclamation marking October as Kansas Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Gov. Hutchinson also noted “the value and talent that people with disabilities add to our workplaces” and affirmed “Arkansas’s commitment to sustaining an inclusive community.”

This is an important public commitment for the more than 272,189 working-age people living with disabilities in Arkansas. In the economic expansion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Natural State had a 32.8 percent disability employment rate. By contrast, people without disabilities had an employment rate of 76.9 percent. That means that there is a 44.0 percentage point gap in labor force participation rates between people with and without disabilities. [continue reading…]

Reno, NV, October 22 – This week, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWDB) met to discuss the status of workforce practices in Nevada. In response to this meeting, RespectAbility, a national, non-partisan nonprofit organization, submitted testimony on how to implement best practices, advocate for greater inclusion and improve the standing of people with disabilities in the workforce.

“When it was passed with broad, bipartisan support in 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) invested unprecedented resources into efforts to get people with barriers to employment into the labor force,” said Olegario “Ollie” Cantos VII, RespectAbility’s new Chairman. “Now, after the pandemic that has reshaped our economy, it is time to devote significant attention to supporting the economic advancement of students, job-seekers, and entrepreneurs with disabilities.”

There are more than 176,756 working age (18-64) Nevadans living with some form of disability. Before the pandemic, 39.3 percent of the working age population of people with disabilities were employed. It is critical that Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWDB) listen to the individuals with disabilities and advocates impacted by these unemployment rates. In order to make the workforce more inclusive, and to find practical ways to make the workforce more accessible for the entire population, RespectAbility collects, summarizes, and publicizes ideas on key workforce solutions. To learn more about RespectAbility’s advocacy work, please visit our Policy website.

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Hartford, CT, October 21 – “I am proud of the way that Connecticut has been seen as a leader in protecting the rights of people with disabilities,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont in a public statement marking October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Gov. Lamont went on to add that he was “particularly proud of the many businesses throughout our state that make every effort to include people of all abilities as valued members of their workforces” and that the economy is “strongest when we include people of all abilities in our workplaces.” In closing he noted that “it benefits the entire economy to make sure opportunities and resources are available for everyone.”

This is an important public statement for the more than 202,632 working-age people living with disabilities in the Nutmeg State. In the economic expansion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut had a 42.9 percent disability employment rate. By contrast, people without disabilities had an employment rate of 79.9 percent. That means that there is a 36.9 percentage point gap in labor force participation rates between people with and without disabilities. [continue reading…]

Lincoln, NE, October 15 – Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation, a state agency dedicated to supporting the aspirations of jobseekers with disabilities, joins other private and public sectors in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October.

In a public statement, Nebraska VR Director Lindy Foley reiterated her state and her agency’s critical work to support thousands of Nebraskans with disabilities. “Full access to employment and community during our state’s and nation’s recovery from the challenges of the pandemic are essential,” said Foley.

This is an important public commitment for the more than 110,657 working-age people living with disabilities in Nebraska. In the economic expansion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cornhusker State had a 50.8 percent disability employment rate. By contrast, people without disabilities had an employment rate of 85.2 percent. That means that there is a 34.3 percentage point gap in labor force participation rates between people with and without disabilities. [continue reading…]

Lansing, MI, October 15 – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer reaffirmed her state’s commitment “to an inclusive community that increases access and opportunities to all, including individuals with disabilities” today in a proclamation marking October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Gov. Whitmer also called attention to the hard work “of agencies throughout the state whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities and raise awareness of disability employment issues.” She also reiterated the critical message that “people with disabilities…are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy.”

These are important public commitments for the more than 725,431 working-age people living with disabilities in Michigan. In the economic expansion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Lakes State had a 36.2 percent disability employment rate. By contrast, people without disabilities had an employment rate of 78.5 percent. That means that there is a 42.2 percentage point gap in labor force participation rates between people with and without disabilities. [continue reading…]

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Topeka, KS, October 12 – Kansas recognizes “the skills, reliability and productivity that Kansans with disabilities brings to our workforce,” said Governor Laura Kelly in a proclamation marking October as Kansas Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Gov. Kelly also recommitted her state to an “Employment First policy, [supporting] the efforts of business leadership networks in Kansas City and Sedgwick County, [providing] support to workers with disabilities through the WORK and Work Healthy programs” as well as other service programs that help Kansans with disabilities find jobs. To that end, the state of Kansas has “created the Special Employment Supports Coordinator position to coordinate employment opportunities for people with disabilities across agencies,” and is “supporting telework for state employees as well as private sector employees that help those with disabilities continue to work at home.”

Gov. Kelly concluded that “all Kansans have a role to play in – and benefits to gain from – increasing opportunities for competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities.” [continue reading…]

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Helena, MT, October 11 – Later this month, Montana’s State Workforce Development Board will meet to discuss the status of workforce practices in Big Sky Country. In response to this meeting, RespectAbility, a national nonpartisan nonprofit organization, submitted testimony on how to implement best practices, advocate for greater inclusion and improve the standing of people with disabilities in the workforce.

“When it was passed with broad, bipartisan support in 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) invested unprecedented resources into efforts to get people with barriers to employment into the labor force,” said Olegario “Ollie” Cantos VII, RespectAbility’s new Chairman. “Now, after the pandemic that has reshaped our economy, it is time to devote significant attention to supporting the economic advancement of students, job-seekers, and entrepreneurs with disabilities.”

There are more than 63,386 working age (18-64) Montanans living with some form of disability. Before the pandemic, 46.9 percent of the working age population of people with disabilities were employed. It is critical that Montana’s Workforce Development Board listen to the individuals with disabilities and advocates impacted by these unemployment rates. In order to make the workforce more inclusive, and to find practical ways to make the workforce more accessible for the entire population, RespectAbility collects, summarizes, and publicizes ideas on key workforce solutions. To learn more about RespectAbility’s advocacy work, please visit our Policy website. [continue reading…]