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

The American Foundation for the Blind recently released the findings of the Flatten Inaccessibility research study, which investigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on 1,921 blind and low vision participants. Participants repeatedly shared their frustrations with their lack of access to specific information about COVID-19, in addition to challenges with technology tools used to access employment and other life... more »

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Job Developing for People with Disabilities during Times of Increased Unemployment Online Dialogue. The Center for Public Representation (CPR) is a national legal advocacy organization that promotes the full integration and community participation of people with disabilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made more urgent the need for investment in provider transformation.... more »

In the Employment Support Services cluster at Jewish Community Services (JCS) in Baltimore we have continued to support our individuals at work throughout the pandemic. We look at each situation very carefully. We have created over arching policies to cover many situations. But we still have to take different things into account on a case by case basis depending on the individual, their home situation, and their particular... more »

Submitted on behalf of Shyla P.

For those needing adequate PPE to successfully find and maintain work, consumers and counselors of vocational rehabilitation services must ensure PPE is provided in any vocational service planning. VR agencies should focus on maintaining accessibility in teleworking options. Training options in assistive technology should broaden for all! Incentives should be offered to both job seekers... more »

Submitted on behalf of Shyla P.

Access to health care plays a vital role in successful employment For people with disabilities. I urge DOL to work with SSA and state Medicaid bureaus to strengthen access to our Medicaid buy in systems. For many of us who rely on these medicaid buy-in programs, they have allowed us to receive Community First Choice or PCA services in our homes and communities. We do need Medicare and... more »

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 »

This pandemic is a perfect time to increase the # of people w/ disabilities in professional office, nonprofit, policy, public sector jobs that can be done from home, work from home should be the norm.

People with disabilities want to work and feel a part of their community. COVID 19 has certainly challenged this desire to work and be successful In fact, its forced people to become afraid and choose not to work. In our program, we had a lot of individuals who continued working in essential jobs. The support staff needed to provide shifted from focusing on hard/soft skills of the job to maintaining personal safety (wearing... more »

• Employers need to disclose to their employees with disabilities as well as jobseekers with disabilities about what safety precautions they have taken to address COVID risks in the workplace. These need to include plain language summary and materials not in English.

• Before any return to a physical workspace occurs, employees with disabilities need to be educated on safety best practices and be given adequate workspace... more »

• No Shame, No Stigma – Ensure that workers with disabilities receive information about free mental health supports during this crisis. In a time of crisis, isolation and sickness, it is no wonder that millions more Americans are reporting mental health conditions. From increasing rates of depression to widespread symptoms of chronic stress, Americans' mental health is being strained like never before. As such, workforce... more »

• ODEP should work with employers to review, collect and compile best practices or emerging trends when it comes to working from home/remote work/telecommuting. 6 months passed of this pandemic should have given employers enough time to explore and identify promising practices related to managing a successful remote workforce. Further, employees with disabilities who have been lucky enough to be retained and succeed in... more »

An important part of supporting self-determination is ensuring that the job seeker has the needed accommodations that protect their health. For many, that might be a request to work from home, have access to additional protective equipment, or work in a part of the facility less exposed to the public. Employers play an important role in providing the accommodations, but job developers can support the request and identification... more »

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 »

Submitted on behalf of Shyla P.

Flexible scheduling of work days as well as reasonable accommodations must be pursued and allowed in workspaces and employment settings . Reasonable accommodations and Essential functions of employment may need to be redefined for people with disabilities now and beyond. States should include and be encouraged to promote pandemic planning for employment with competitive integrated settings... more »

When I did job development during the 2008 recession, I found I needed to do a lot of in person job development in order to develop relationships with employers to advocate for my clients to get hired. Now with COVID-19 safety concerns, I wonder what others in the field are doing to develop new relationships with businesses.