Job Developing for People with Disabilities during Times of Increased Unemployment Search Ideas

I have heard from some Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programs that they are including health risk assessment as part of the job search planning. Along with looking at the client's level of COVID risk, employment specialists are also paying attention to COVID safety practices of employers during job development and sharing that information with their clients. I'm curious to hear how providers are navigating this!... more »

Many people with disabilities work essential jobs, use public transportation to get to their job, or have underlying conditions. These factors increase the risk of exposure to COVID. How are you helping job seekers navigate the decision of accepting a job or to continue to work the job?

Abby

I have joined bi-weekly virtual Chamber meetings to network with local employers. It is helpful to make connections with decision-makers who are not familiar with Vocational Rehabilitation. I also use Labor Market Information to identify industries that are hiring.

Job developers are not required to take diversity training. This fails both the developer and the consumer. Job Developers, j

Hello,

I find these discussions on job developing interesting. My background is in executive sales and marketing. I have worked with businesses for over 30 years, finding out employer needs and then finding solutions for those needs.

9 years ago, I changed gears and went to work for Living Opportunities, a non profit which serves individuals with developmental disabilities. A major part of my job was to find employment... more »

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We have jobs and offer free job training and seeking about 3000 new enrollers and recruiters to work virtually

• Ensure easy access to telemedicine services for employees at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. With everything going virtual, employers need to ensure that their employees with and without disabilities can readily access telemedicine services. This is especially the case if people are regularly risking exposure to the virus.

• Easy access to rapid COVID-19 testing needs to prioritized for essential workers and... more »

I read this research report this week https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wps.20806 that looks at mental illness, risk of COVID infection, and poor COVID infection outcomes. They looked at electronic health records for 61 million people in the US and found that people with mental illness had 7 times higher odds of getting COVID than those without mental illness. They also were also much more likely to be... more »

These past few months I have learned how to leverage the power of LinkedIn and have been sharing my knowledge with job seekers. I've been helping them with optimizing their profiles and coaching them on networking techniques. I also use LinkedIn to conduct employer research and career exploration activities. Personally, I too have developed new relationships with recruiters and hiring managers using the same techniques.... more »

Decreasing potential exposure to the virus is the most direct way of addressing the health risks involved with the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, employers have a responsibility to make it absolutely clear to jobseekers if the job can be performed remotely. If an employer does not make that clear, job developers should automatically encourage the employer to clarify immediately.

Job developers should ask employers about existing efforts around reasonable accommodations and employers should disclose what accommodations policies they have implemented since COVID-19 hit. No matter the present circumstances, the ADA and relevant workplace regulations remain in effect. Especially, those around providing accommodations to workers with disabilities. As such, job developers need to ask about what efforts... more »

• Launch a DOL advisory panel under OSHA composed of employers, subject matter experts, workers with disabilities and workers with pre-existing conditions to address workplace risks. An advisory panel that reflects both personal experience and professional expertise could well be positioned to further refine and recommend policy ideas, regulatory changes or other actions to be taken by the federal government.

Normally we are encouraging our individuals to work their hardest and try new things. We are their best advocates to get the job that they want to suit their interests. In the last several months some of that has changed. Prior to pandemic we most likely encouraged our individuals to stick with a job through thick and thin. Now we have found ourselves saying it's ok to stop working if it feels too risky. To our individuals... more »

This is so tough. Many of the usual rules apply. Look at the job market and see what field is doling the most amount of hiring. Remind the job seeker that while this is not their first choice there is value in applying for the job. Remind the job seeker to complete their applications fast. There are many people looking for jobs right now. Put your best foot forward-look over your application packet with a fine tooth comb.... more »