Policy

Lansing, Michigan, Oct. 31 – Earlier this month, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation focusing on the stigmas and barriers associated with “invisible or hidden” disabilities for Disability Employment Awareness Month. Her statement spoke about how “10 percent of people live with a condition which could be considered an invisible or hidden disability” and that “nearly half of Americans are living with a chronic medical condition.”

Meanwhile, in Michigan’s state legislature, bipartisan leaders are throwing their weight behind an initiative to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities. State Reps. Jon Hoadley (D-60^th District) and Steve Marino (R-24^th District) are championing a pair of bills focused on expanding the use of and covering the costs associated with reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Both bills are the result of the advocacy work by the Disability Network Southwest Michigan, which motivated Hoadley to “help more people with disabilities enter the workplace.” The bipartisan package would allow employers to apply for up to $1,000 to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. [continue reading…]

Poster for NDEAM 2019. Credit: Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor

Washington D.C., Oct. 28 – October marks the 73rd annual celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This month is a chance to celebrate job seekers with disabilities who are striving to work and companies that are dedicated to recruiting talented employees with disabilities. The theme for NDEAM 2019 is “The Right Talent, Right Now.” Indeed, employment matters for people with disabilities for more than just financial reasons. People with disabilities are seeking the opportunity to achieve independence, just like anyone else.

To mark this celebration, the White House released a Presidential Proclamation “to celebrate the contributions of Americans with disabilities to our country’s workforce and economic strength.” The proclamation also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment “to fostering opportunity for Americans of all abilities to apply their skills and talents in the workplace.”

Statistics released earlier this year by the Institute on Disability show that out of more than 20 million working-age people with disabilities, only 7.5 million have jobs. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism. [continue reading…]

Trenton, New Jersey, Oct. 28 – “People with all ranges of disabilities can achieve employment, providing a sense of purpose, dignity, accomplishment and earned income,” said New Jersey Gov. Philip Murphy in a proclamation marking October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

A trio of culinary delicacies show that New Jersians with disabilities can be successful employees. No Limits Cafe is a successful coffee and pastry shop in Red Bank that prides itself on being intentional with training and ultimately employing people with intellectual disabilities. Popcorn for the People in East Brunswick employs adults with Autism, combating the current 80 percent unemployment rate in the autistic community with the training and hiring of adults with Autism to create, package and sell uniquely flavored gourmet popcorn. Grateful Bites is a bakery, café and restaurant in Flemington is a creation of Ability2Work, which provides a fully inclusive and supported business environment for people with disabilities to find meaningful lives and jobs they love. All three of these companies excel because of the inclusion of employees with disabilities. [continue reading…]

Columbia, S.C., Oct. 24 – Earlier this month, Columbia hosted the Hire Me SC’ Employer Summit 2019 to connect local employers with potential employees with disabilities. The annual event, sponsored by Able South Carolina and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, showcased a clear message about the workplace skills and readiness of South Carolinians with disabilities.

As stated by Sarah Nichols, Director of Public Relations with Able South Carolina, “there’s a huge untapped workforce of people with disabilities in South Carolina, who can work and they want to work.” Chantel Greenfield from the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System spoke with the press about how her company can look at “all of your various job descriptions” and “what barriers can we remove to be a more inclusive employer.”

This sentiment was echoed by Gov. Henry McMaster who recently declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to help advance job opportunities. In a proclamation he stated, “business and community leaders have called for a diverse and capable workforce to further advance the economy of the Palmetto State” and that “South Carolinians with disabilities have the same aspirations competitively work and contribute to their communities everyone else.” [continue reading…]

Little Rock, Arkansas, Oct. 23 – At the beginning of this month, state leaders gathered at the Capitol in Little Rock to celebrate the beginning of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

“We are excited to see so many new avenues opening up in Arkansas and across the nation for individuals with disabilities to work with so many supportive employers,” said Alan McClain, commissioner for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. “Every day, we see the talent that individuals with disabilities add to our workforce, but this is the time of year when we want to spotlight their value to our state and our economy.”

According to the Institute on Disability, in 2018, 87,920 Arkansans with disabilities had jobs, putting the state’s disability employment rate at 30.8 percent. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.

As such, Gov. Asa Hutchinson has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to help fight stigmas and advance opportunities for Arkansans with disabilities. “People with disabilities offer a wide range of expertise and play an integral role in our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy,” he wrote in his proclamation. “I encourage my fellow citizens to realize the contributions individuals with disabilities add to our workplaces and communities.” [continue reading…]

Washington, D.C., Oct. 19 – The Lex Frieden Employment Award, which is given to multiple businesses committed to empowering people with disabilities in the workforce, recently honored the H-E-B Corporate offices of San Antonio and a Chick-fil-A store in Allen City.  These businesses are examples of how the Lone Star State is working to improve its employment rate for people with disabilities.

According to the Institute on Disability, 647,977 working-age Texans with disabilities have jobs, putting the state’s disability employment rate at 39.9 percent. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.

As such, Gov. Greg Abbott has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to help raise this percentage.

“Not only must we enhance Texas’ workforce system so it better serves Texans with disabilities,” Gov. Abbott stated. “We must engage in disability employment awareness to ensure that all Texans have an equal opportunity to contribute to the workforce that is the foundation of Texas’ continue success and prosperity.” [continue reading…]

Washington, D.C., Oct. 16 – Festival Foods is a company that is offering opportunities for employment to the disability community. Employing 170 people with disabilities in Wisconsin, Festival Foods continues to reach out to the disability community as a response to a tight labor market.

Festival Foods is one such example of how this state is maintaining its employment rate for people with disabilities.

According to the Institute on Disability, 144,815 working-age Wisconsinites with disabilities are employed, putting the state’s disability employment rate at 41.9 percent. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.

As such, Gov. Tony Evers has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to help raise this percentage. [continue reading…]

Washington, D.C., Oct. 17 – Taziki’s Mediterranean Café has teamed up with Magellan Complete Care to create Taziki’s HOPE program. The HOPE program teaches adults with disabilities transferable business skills while working at the Café or growing herbs.

Taziki’s HOPE program is one such example of how this state is improving its employment rate for people with disabilities.

According to the Institute on Disability, 204,103 working-age Virginians with disabilities are employed, putting the state’s disability employment rate at 40.8 percent. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.

As such, Gov. Ralph Northam has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to help advance opportunities. [continue reading…]

Photo Credit: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News

Washington, D.C., Oct. 16 – Through the StarAbility Foundation, Shawn Denton has become a model employee at Cosmos Pizza Naples. StarAbilty Foundation offers the program trailblazer academy, which helps people with disabilities find employment through vocational rehabilitation and employment readiness.

However, The StarAbility Foundation is an exception, as far too many Floridians with disabilities are out of work. This month is the perfect time to examine why.

According to the Institute on Disability, 428,638 working-age Floridians with disabilities are employed, putting the state’s disability employment rate at 34.1 percent. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.

As such, Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to help raise this percentage. [continue reading…]