For more than 30 years, our nation has focused on improving education and workplace preparation. Initially, these efforts were to ensure equal learning opportunities for students, professionalize teaching, increase standards, and produce a “world class” educational system. These efforts grew from concerted attention to an overall educational [...]
Justin Coller, Manager of Marketing for Life Development Institute & Global Network for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities is an invited partner joining just 100 young men and women who are 18-29 years old from around the world that are professionally involved in the promotion of decent work for youth. Participants will share their experiences and views on the current employment situation and discuss practical examples of successful initiatives which have led to the promotion of decent work for youth. Simplified, decent work would include a position that is permanent, full time, pays a living wage, and has benefits. Click below to read more about Justin Coller's contributions to this important worldwide effort.
This slideshow covers latest data, research, and best practices in programming, services, and transition for young adults in hidden disabilities, such as LD, ADHD, Asperger
A series of US Senate hearings chaired by Sen. Tom Harkin of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee is literally reshaping the nature of the debate, recognition, and ultimately, funding of services /benefits for adults with disabilities as well as the aging American workforce. The [...]
This post provides an overview/links to the most current, comprehensive employment/unemployment data on American adults with disabilities and federal legislative efforts to improve competitive employment outcomes for youth/adults with the most significant disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders, severe mental illness, and intellectual disabilties.
This post shares information about some exciting new adult-based employment programming and evidence-based practices using Life Coaching for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome/high functioning autism/NVLD and related conditions.
Many people have a knee-jerk reaction to the term "disability" that causes them to shut down or recoil when in the presence of an actual person who discloses a non-visible condition or looks like they are disabled. Getting the public past this reaction is a bit like teaching a cat to swim- it can be done- but is an area of life that most individuals whose personal worlds are not touched by or who have not lived with the experience of disability naturally avoid. What can we do that gets us closer to a "post-disabled" world?
At the end of October, Veronica and Rob Crawford organized & led a small group of Arizona citizens in staging a first-of-its-kind Rally called EmployAbility. The purpose of the event is to update public perceptions about the capabilities of PwD to achieve life/career success and their desire to earn economic self-sufficiency through meaningful work. This post is in recognition of the spirit of humanity to choose a positive direction and what happens when a few people work to unify disparate parties around a common cause for the betterment of all.
Network members Debra Ruh, John Little, and Rob Crawford spoke in Chicago for the US Business Leadership Network conference last month. The luncheon plenary was delivered
Even though we currently do not have a national recognition month for employers of PwD (Diversity Inc rates/ranks top Disability employers annually), this post looks at two global business organizations as progressive leaders deserving of being singled out.