Workforce

In today’s job market, assembling a diverse and inclusive workforce is more crucial than ever. One effective way for employers to achieve this is by teaming up with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that assist job seekers with disabilities. These partnerships not only improve hiring processes but also uplift local communities by creating better job opportunities for underrepresented groups, as people with disabilities often have trouble finding and keeping meaningful employment.

What is a Talent Partner?

A talent partner is an organization that works alongside employers to help identify, develop, and place job seekers in various roles. Talent partners can include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies dedicated to making a difference through employment. By collaborating with these organizations, businesses can access a broader range of candidates, which ultimately leads to a more inclusive work environment. [continue reading…]

The theme of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month is “Access to Good Jobs For All.” A central part of creating this access lies in implementing effective workplace accommodations. For people with disabilities, accommodations represent more than just adjustments; they are essential measures needed to ensure equal employment opportunities.

The reality is that many workplaces – physical office space, virtual environments, established practices, and/or cultures – were not designed with the needs of disabled individuals in mind. This fundamental oversight often makes these spaces inaccessible, either partially or entirely, to those with disabilities. As a result, the changes made to workplaces to accommodate disabilities should not be seen as extra or unnecessary additions. Instead, they should be recognized as immediate actions that address historical exclusion.

Workplace accommodations are not luxuries; they are necessities that create environments where everyone has the same chance to thrive. They are an investment that employers should value when considering employee retention and a positive workplace culture. When employers fail to make these adjustments, it can be considered an act of discrimination, whether intentional or not. This is why the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that employers with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations for qualified employees, provided it doesn’t impose an undue burden on the organization. [continue reading…]

According to Forbes, more than 50% of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants would like to work again, but they fear losing their important financial and healthcare benefits, such as Medicare. This is a very valid fear, as it can often take a long time to navigate the SSDI system. According to USAFacts, the national average wait time for the first decision is 7 months, 15 days. The national approval rate for the initial application is around 38% which means most people get denied on their first try and need to appeal the decision. And the entire process can take three years or more.

Fortunately, there is a program available that acts as a safety net to help people on SSDI ease their way into the workforce without a fear of losing their benefits: the Ticket to Work program. The Ticket to Work program is a U.S. Social Security Administration initiative that helps people with disabilities find and keep employment while maintaining their Social Security benefits. The free, voluntary program is available in all 50 states.

Eligible individuals can use a “ticket” to access various employment services from approved providers. The program offers support such as job training and career counseling, along with work incentives that allow participants to test their ability to work without immediately losing their benefits. The goal is to promote financial independence and self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. [continue reading…]

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it is important to understand the benefits of remote work for disabled job seekers and employees to create “Access to Good Jobs for All.”

As a recent graduate of Davidson College and a physically disabled person with a passion for disability advocacy, my goal is to pursue a career focused on improving disability inclusion and accessibility within the workplace. My disorder, Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), paralyzed me from the neck down in 2010. Although I regained the ability to walk, I still have paralysis in my arms and hands. Therefore, my disability impacts my ability to do everyday tasks such as getting dressed, washing and styling my hair, doing laundry, preparing meals, and getting from place to place. In 2019, I got my driver’s license after practicing for weeks at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA using their vehicle with accessibility modifications. However, I still do not have a car because the accessibility modifications will cost between $50,000-$60,000 — not including the vehicle itself!

Many individuals like me rely on public transportation or a family member, friend, or aide to drive them to work, especially since most places in the United States do not have adequate public transportation. Remote work can remove this access barrier to employment by greatly increasing access to jobs for disabled people who may struggle to get to a physical place of work. A common misconception exists that employers only need to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees that are specific to their work. According to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), employers may be required to provide accommodations related to commuting “such as changing an employee’s schedule so [they] can access available transportation, reassigning an employee to a location closer to [their] home when the length of the commute is the problem, or allowing an employee to telecommute.” [continue reading…]

Over the past month, two of RespectAbility’s major workforce initiatives, the Building Better Futures initiative (BBFI) and our Enabling Economic Independence to Work program (EIW), made great strides forward.

The BBFI program, which is made possible by the support of the James Irvine Foundation, is creating employment pipelines in the information technology and job coaching spaces for disabled people with multiple marginalized identities who don’t currently have college degrees. The program aims to establish partnerships between the disability community, educational institutions, industry, and government agencies in Southern California. Furthermore, the partners that RespectAbility has brought together are exploring the possibility of collaborating on larger statewide initiatives. We are excited about the program models that will emerge from these partnerships and hope they will be replicated throughout the country to bring about a meaningful and lasting change in disability employment nationwide. [continue reading…]