Working With a Disability
What does your job give you?
Often, the first response people will give to that question is, “A paycheck”. While it’s true for many people the main reason they want a job is to get a paycheck, a job can also offer a host of other benefits. A job can give someone a sense of purpose, self-confidence, pride, and self-determination. A job can be a place to meet new people and foster new relationships. And yes, a job can provide income, which can give a person the opportunity to live their life as they choose.
For many people with disabilities, a job can sometimes seem out of reach. There are many hurdles they must navigate. Sometimes, employers may overlook a person’s abilities and only focus on their disability. Other times, the individual themselves may not feel confident about their abilities and may not know how to identify their strengths. Often, a person with a disability may need more time and help with learning a new job. Dealing with each of these hurdles can be frustrating, and each of these factors can lead to a lower employment rate among people with disabilities. With so many obstacles, how can individuals with disabilities find a way to achieve gainful employment?
The Capital Area Employment 1st Coalition was created to help local individuals with disabilities achieve gainful employment. This coalition believes that “every individual, regardless of disability, can be employed”. Here are some of the core beliefs listed on their website:
- Everyone can work and there is a real job for everyone. A real job is one with real wages and benefits, side-by-side with co-workers without disabilities.
- Not working should be the exception. All individuals, schools, families, and businesses must raise their expectations.
- People will be hired because of their ability not because they have a disability.
- Everyone has something to contribute.
- Having a real job and earning wages helps people have a lifestyle with value, choice, and empowerment.
- Real jobs should be the first priority and preferred outcome for people with disabilities.
- Employment is a win/win for everybody!
The Capital Area Employment 1st Coalition works in collaboration with individuals with disabilities, other community members, and local businesses as they work towards increasing the employment rate among local individuals with disabilities who want to work. One way the coalition helps to increase awareness is by sharing local success stories. These success stories are shared as a way to encourage everyone to learn more about how employing people with disabilities can be beneficial to everyone! Every year the coalition hosts an annual Transition Fair in March. The fair helps to connect soon-to-be high school graduates with information sessions and resources for higher education and employment. It serves as a reminder to individuals and their families that the possibilities are limitless!
Please visit https://capitalareaemp1st.org/ to learn more about The Capital Area Employment 1st Coalition, and please consider ways you can help!
- Can you ask your employer to consider working with the coalition to learn more about hiring people with disabilities?
- Do you know someone with a disability who may want to gain employment?
- Can you share about the coalition on your social media pages to increase awareness?
We may not all be able help in big ways, but if each of us could do one small thing to help, the impact would be tremendous!
