This is an important time for college students/graduates with a disability. Across the country, city, and state, employers are beginning to identify the wonderful skills, abilities, characteristics, and attributes offered by individuals with visible/invisible disabilities. This community will share information about companies/agencies that have a track-record for intentionally recruiting students with a disability. This site will also include helpful information/resources related to disability pertinent topics such as strategies/tips for disability disclosure, and information on Federal programs that are intended to place students with a disability in federal jobs/internships. Additionally, serves as a resource that categorizes companies nationwide based on how disability hiring trends, and various resources to educate students with a disability about their rights under ADA, that help conduct searches for positions/companies, and ideas for an accommodation request.
Current State of Hiring for Individuals with a Disability
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/03/25/feds-disability-hiring-mandate/19222/ – this is an article by Disability Scoop that covers the Federal Hiring mandate (introduced by the Obama Administration), which requires Government Agencies and Contractors to have a workforce that is represented by 7% of positions needing to be filled by candidates with a disability
https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/disability-equality-index/best-places-to-work-2019/ – this is a link from an organization (Disability: IN) that conducts assessment of how different businesses and corporations implement initiatives to and have a track record for hiring individuals with a disability. It is a great starting point for learning of companies/businesses/agencies/non-profit organizations that have a history of intentionally hiring individuals with a disability
Tips/Strategies for Disclosing a Disability to an Employer
https://askjan.org/topics/Disability-Disclosure.cfm – the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is one of the best resources for the job search and career development of individuals with a disability. This article offers several important tips and suggestions for disclosing a disability, which is one of the more personal decisions any job seeker with a disability will have to make. This article offers several tips for disclosure of a disability
http://jobdoozy.org/to-disclose-or-not-discussing-your-disability-with-job-interviewers-and-possible-employers/ – this is another resource that addresses tips for disability disclosure. This resource also links you to several additional resources that address tips for disability disclosure
https://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/ydw.htm – this is a great resource from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) as they are on the front lines of policy and compliance regarding hiring of individuals with a disability. This is a good resource because it also offers strategies for how to effectively disclose the disability (as opposed to whom and when)
Resources/Programs/Employers for Individuals with a Disability
https://www.wrp.gov/wrp?id=student_landing_page – the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a program that was created by the Federal Government to assist federal/state/local agencies on-board college graduates with a disability as this is a program specifically for college students with a disability. The application and interviews are typically conducted from late August through October
https://newsroom.heb.com/bridging-the-gap/ – HEB has created a program to connect individuals with a disability to opportunities with the reputable organization. This is an article that highlights the program and addresses resources and timeframes for getting the program up and running
https://www.gettinghired.com/ – Getting Hired is a national job board for job seekers with a disability. It has information about available opportunities, resources for executing the job search, information about companies/employers, and additional information about job accommodation
https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/abc_applicants_with_disabilities.cfm – the Federal Government has a Schedule A Hiring Authority that allows government employers to hire individuals with a disability using a non-competitive hiring status. This page will offer an overview of the process and associated resources
https://www.respectability.org/resources/employers-embracing-employees-disabilities/ – this is a comprehensive listing of resources related to finding jobs, helping companies understand the process of disability hiring, assist with job accommodation, and many more
Resources for the Profess of Requesting Job Accommodations
https://askjan.org/ – this is a link to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) which is the preeminent resource for identifying and requesting accommodations needed to perform the duties of a job for which the candidate is qualified. You can select the disability and it will offer ideas regarding the types of accommodations needed, based on the disability. It is a great resource for learning how to approach an employer to request an accommodation
Understanding Your Rights and the Legalities as a Job Seeker with a Disability
https://www.eeoc.gov/facts/ada18.html – as a job seeker with a disability, it is very important that you understand your rights, as well as the legalities of the job search. This is an informative overview – provided by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – of the Americans with a Disabilities Act. (ADA). The ADA provides legal protection against the discrimination of a job candidate based on the presence of a disability