Disability Employment

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and the value of a diverse workforce that includes the skills and talents they bring. Read an NDEAM message from Acting ACL Administrator Edwin Walker (coming soon).

Federal Partnerships to Promote Disability Employment

• ACL is a part of the Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, a key part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA),
• The Federal Partners in Transition 2020 Strategic Plan  outlines an interagency strategy to support students and youth with disabilities in reaching their goals of economic empowerment and independence developed by a workgroup with representatives from several federal agencies.
• Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) is a joint HHS, ED, DOL, SSA to foster improved health, education, and post-secondary outcomes for children ages 14-16 who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as their families.

Resources

For People with Disabilities and their Families and Friends

• Centers for Independent Living are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonprofit agencies that provide an array of independent living services, including services that can help with employment.
• ACL-funded state assistive technology programs provide information on tools and services that can help a person with a disability perform activities that might otherwise be difficult, whether at home or in the workplace.
• The Job Accommodation Network is an ODEP-funded technical assistance center providing free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.
• The Disability.gov Guide to Employment compiles a wide-range of employment resources for people with disabilities.
• Protection and Advocacy systems can inform employees of their legal rights and advocate on their behalf.

For Employers

• Funded by NIDILRR, the ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act. Browse resources for employers or call 800-949-4232.
• ODEP Resource for Employers provides tools to help effectively recruit, retain, and advance people with disabilities.
• The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.
• NIDILRR's RRTC on Employer Practices Related to Employment Outcomes Among Individuals with Disabilities looked at the literature and surveyed human resources professionals on the effect of inclusive human resources and practices.
• The California Employment Consortium for Youth and Young Adults with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities (CECY) has posted several videos that illustrate how employers are successfully integrating and supporting employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities.   

For States, Policymakers, and Nonprofits

• ACL Profiles in Integrated Employment highlights stories and best practices from agencies and states leading the way towards integrated employment for people with disabilities. Read tips for employment service providers transitioning to an integrated employment model.
• Find out how Medicaid Buy-In is opening the door to employment for people with disabilities.
• The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) assists state and local workforce development systems to better serve all youth, including youth with disabilities.

Last Modified: 10/26/2016