US workers march for employment photo: Poverty in America
As reported on WTAP News, the unemployment rate has reached 16.9% for the disabled compared with 9.3% for the overall population.
Executive Director of The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley and West Virginia, Christina Smith, said in West Virginia almost 75 percent of individuals with disabilities are unemployed.
“I understand that the West Virginia Department of Education is currently rewriting the career and technical education plan that would allow for a potentially modified certificate for individuals with disabilities to graduate with and to take with them when they go out to find these career and technical positions,” said Smith.
Smith said there is grant funding to support individuals with disabilities to become entrepreneurs and funding to train teachers and aides on supported employment in the work place.
In addition Smith said there are better incentives for disability service providers to encourage inclusive employment settings as opposed to segregated ones. WTAP News
In Canada, the unemployment rate for the disabled is greater than 15%.
In both the US and Canada, up to 75% of the disabled are unemployed. Those with severe disabilities are not able to work. Many with mild to moderate disabilities have given up looking and don’t become part of the statistics.
Governments need to work at finding solutions for both income replacement and back to work incentives for the chronically unemployed, disabled or not.
BevatJLodge
Did you know People with disabilities have higher rates of unemployment, but now they’re at an all time high. The Department of Labor reports, in November 2009, the unemployment rate of persons with a disability was 14.1 percent, compared with 9.2 percent for persons with no disability. Aside from govenment help, I would like to let all readers know about a company that only hires those who are disabled and want to work from home on a part time basis. J. Lodge is a premier quality call services company whose dedication and commitment in providing jobs for disabled Americans has been the foundation of its 10 year history. Due to its success, they are now hiring and accepting applications for disabled individuals looking for part-time work at home careers. Those interested must be receiving Social Security Disability benefits and have a Ticket to Work. To apply, visit: http://www.jlodge.com/careers.