Latest Articles

Want to develop your leadership skills? Now is your opportunity.

The opportunity for people with disabilities to become leaders in the workplace is a chance not to show your skills, but to provide a team with insight, confidence and excellent networking in the city of Chicago. When the inaugural group of the ADA25 Advancing Leadership program was launched 2 years ago, I saw such a great opportunity for people with disabilities and the civic engagement community to learn from each other, and the chance to learn about all facets of diversity.

The Chicago Community Trust diversity pipeline does not just talk about people with disabilities, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic groups, age, personality, tenure, organizational function, education and background.

Head shot of man with tie and blue shirt

You Can’t Make the Same Mistakes while Expecting New Results

With our low unemployment rate across the board for US citizens, people with disabilities have been seeing results that bring optimism in finding not just a job, but an ideal job. After missing out on an opportunity that you were excited about, rejection seeps in and it is tough for anyone to be rejected.

As you have that sinking feeling of rejection, you are not alone. Many business leaders have been rejected many times with their ideas, only to analyze what can be better in their ideas or even abandoned the idea altogether. When it boils down to is, successful people extract lessons from rejection, not stew about it.

There are many questions you can ask internally that would have made you the best candidate to fill the position.

Overcoming Your Fear: Disability Inclusion in the Work Place

Hello Everyone,

I know it has been some time since I’ve posted a blog post, but I’m back and ready to discuss my experience with attending my first discussion panel focusing on inclusion for people with disabilities within the work place. The purpose of this panel was to highlight three different individuals who have disabilities, and for them to provide the attendees from various companies and organizations with insight into their experiences, as well as how these companies and or organizations can work with a potential employee with a disability to ensure that both parties have what they need.

Job and Career Resources

Resources for Choosing a Career or Job Goal

Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you the training and education needed for hundreds of different kinds of jobs as well as what you would earn, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job and working conditions. In addition, the Handbook gives you job search tips and information about the job market in each State by occupation type.

Starting Your Own Business

Starting your own business or becoming self-employed is a major undertaking and being successful requires a good deal of thought and planning. These resources will help you get started. Abilities Fund The Abilities Fund is the only nationwide program designed exclusively to advance entrepreneurial opportunities for people with disabilities. After completing a detailed application form, Abilities Fund staff will contact you to offer support and resources that are specific to your situation. Small Business Start-up Guide

Post Secondary Education and Training Programs

If you are thinking about returning to school or getting some job training or placement assistance, here are some valuable resources. Colleges and Universities The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator can help you find the right college. NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. American Job Centers Services Locator (Sponsored by Department of Labor)

Fastest Growing Occupations

Healthcare jobs are among the fastest growing occupations in the economy. You should consider this fact when looking for jobs or making decisions about pursuing job training or additional education.

You can search for healthcare jobs and other fast growing occupations on AbilityLinks by Occupation Type or Key Words that identify your skills and experience.

View a list of fastest growing occupations.

Americans with Disabilities Act

What is a Disability? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as someone who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (such as walking, seeing, hearing, learning, and working); Has a history of such an impairment or; Is regarded as having such impairment.

Remember that not all disabilities are visible or readily apparent. Physical or mental conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, low vision, and learning disabilities like dyslexia, can also present significant barriers to employment.

Accessibility Checklist

How Do I Know If My Worksite Is Accessible?

The following questions will help you determine the accessibility of your work site. Sources of additional and more detailed information are provided at the end.

Disability Employment Statistics

According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report from August, 2014, 31.8% of non disabled persons do not participate in the labor force vs. an 80.2% non participation rate for persons with disabilities. The unemployment rate for disabled job seekers is also more than twice as high. The BLS reports a September 2014 unemployment rate of 12.3% for disabled job seekers vs. 5.5% for non-disabled job seekers. Two studies offer some insight into why so many persons with disabilities are not working and what businesses are doing to employ and accommodate workers with disabilities:

Why Adults With Disabilities Have Difficulty Finding Jobs

Employer FAQs

1. I don’t want to get sued for firing someone with a disability. If I hire a person with a disability and they perform poorly, aren’t I “stuck” with them?

No. Your company’s policies and quality standards apply to employees with disabilities just as they apply to other employees. Once you have made the reasonable accommodations necessary to enable an employee to perform the essential functions of the job, the employee has to meet the job requirements.

2. I’m concerned about saying the wrong thing. What questions may I ask a job applicant with a disability?

Myths and Facts

Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities by eliminating barriers to their participation in many aspects of living and working in America. In particular, the ADA prohibits covered employers from discriminating against people with disabilities in the full range of employment-related activities, from recruitment to advancement, to pay and benefits.

The foundation for the ADA is America’s promise of equal access to opportunity for all citizens.

Tax Incentives

There are three tax incentives available to employers that hire people with disabilities or make their places of business accessible for employees and customers with disabilities.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain target groups, including disabled persons, who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. Refer to Form 8826, Disabled Access Credit, for information about eligible expenditures.