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Employment & Human Resources

35% of individuals with disabilities are employed, but 80% continue to seek gainful employment.

While this number fluctuates somewhat, the issue is evident. Employers from small business to corporations are inhibited to “take the risk” and hire an individual with a disability. DAT has a training that educates attendees on the many myths and misperceptions that plague the hiring process. Employers lack understanding on everything from disability basics to reasonable accommodations. It is also important to understand how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) comes to play in the hiring process.

DAT can provide the answers you need, be it through training or consultation.

Overview/Description

  1. Major purpose/theme of workshop: Disability awareness training has tailored a presentation for Disability Resource Coordinators in conjunction with the Disability Employment Initiative. It brings together education on disabilities while enhancing sensitivity. The presentation includes definitions, etiquette and interaction skills, the disabled perspective, accessibility/universal design, understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act, hiring practices/employment, and current trends and topics.
  2. Discuss the types of activities or strategies that will be utilized: Disability awareness incorporates sensitivity training so the audience can empathize with the injustices individuals with disabilities face, as well as educate on the types of supports these individuals may need. Videos, extensive materials and resources, federal guidelines, and current best practices will highlight the content and allow for attendees to best respond and interact with all individuals. Defining accommodations, understanding characteristics of disabilities, utilization of the vast network of supports, extensive resources, and how to review accessibility will also be addressed.

Course Key Ideas/Content:

  • Disabilities defined
  • Employment in the context of disability
  • Reasonable Accommodations/Modifications
  • Alternative forms of communication
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act
  • General Effective Communication
  • Person/Identity First Language
  • Accessibility/Universal design
  • Proper etiquette and interaction skills
  • Current trends and topics

Tools

Websites

  • AbilityJobs – www.abilityjobs.com – The goal of abilityJOBS is to enable people with disabilities to enhance their professional lives by providing a dedicated system for finding employment. By posting job opportunities, or searching resumes, employers can find qualified persons with disabilities as well as demonstrate their affirmative action and open door policies.
  • American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) – www.aapd.com/employment – AAPD is committed to ensuring that all people with disabilities have the right to equal opportunity, to be economically self-sufficient, and to earn and save without jeopardizing access to the services and supports that allow them to live and work independently.
  • Association for People in Supported Employment (APSE) – www.apse.org – APSE supports Employment First to facilitate the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and community.
  • Employer Assistance & Resource Network (EARN) – www.askearn.org – Resources to help employers recruit, hire, retain and advance individuals with disabilities
  • Hire Disability Solutions – www.hireds.com – The mission of HireDS is to give all that want a chance to succeed, the opportunity to succeed. HireDS was founded in response to the increasing demand for services for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, they aim to promote inclusion into the mainstream employment world.
  • Leadership for the Employment & Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD) – www.leadcenter.org – The LEAD Center is a collaborative of disability, workforce and economic empowerment organizations dedicated to a single mission: advancing sustainable individual and systems level change to improve competitive, integrated employment and economic self-sufficiency for all people across the spectrum of disability.
  • National Disability Institute – www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org – National Disability Institute’s Real Economic Impact (REI) Network is an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a common mission the economic advancement of people with disabilities.
  • Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) – www.dol.gov/agencies/odep – Developing and influencing policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
  • U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) – www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab – VR&E provides services to veterans to help with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Service members in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.
  • The Viscardi Center – www.viscardicenter.org – Providing a lifespan of programs and services that educate, employ and empower children and adults with disabilities.