“Look Closer,” a national public-awareness campaign designed to urge US employers and job recruiters to think differently about people with disabilities when they seek to add new talent, was unveiled recently in New York City’s Times Square.
The billboard will appear above Times Square throughout October—National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) launched the campaign in partnership with several leading companies, who have pledged their support and commitment to disability employment and inclusion, according to a media release from NOD.
“Millions of Americans with disabilities are ready to work. We need hiring and recruiting managers to look closer at their abilities and consider this largely untapped talent pool,” says Governor Tom Ridge, NOD Chairman and the first US Secretary of Homeland Security, in the release.
“There is reason for optimism. Today’s strong economy is forcing employers to consider talent that they might previously have overlooked. But with 80-percent of Americans with disabilities out of work, more must be done to bridge this troublesome employment gap. We all must ‘Look Closer’ and recognize the extraordinary talents of people with disabilities,” he adds.
Veteran Hollywood actor Robert David Hall, best known for his role as coroner Dr Albert Robbins on the popular TV series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, lends his voice to the campaign, the release continues.
“The car accident that took both my legs didn’t take away my abilities, nor my spirit or my creativity. I knew that I could contribute in a meaningful way, and so can 56 million Americans with disabilities,” says Hall, a burn survivor and longtime NOD board member.
“I see no reason why talented, hardworking people, who are viewed as ‘different’ should be kept out of the entertainment industry—or any industry for that matter. I am proud to lend my voice to the Look Closer campaign.”
For more information, visit the National Organization on Disability.
[Source(s): National Organization on Disability, Business Wire]
I am looking to work from home as my disability is unpredictable but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to contribute to the families income. I’m driven, self starting and have great communication skills. I worked in the medical field for a period until I became disabled and did customer service for years
I am so happy to see people taking a stand My professional life has been a nightmare due to ignorance being judgemental and lack of empathy I applaud the people behind this effort
17 to 50
Resume looks insane all QMS in all fields.
Mostly management / mfg
IT admin for 2 fortune500 co.s
Weighlayed with SPPMS. Recieving SS disability, but no where the income I trained and went to college for. I work need work
Iam also looking to return to work. I am in contact with TWC but they are not of much help. Part time would be grand to start with. Thanks for listening.
So glad to here that there is still hope for people with disabilities. I have a lot of skills but there are little opportunities for disable people I would like more information thanks.
I’m a former Assistant Director of a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) who partners with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services. This state agency works with all motivated individuals who shows interest in getting back to work. We work will local employers to advocate on your behalf and share your work history, transferrable skills, dependability, etc..
After you make the initial contact and complete an intake at your local VR office. Your VR Counsleor will assign you to a CRP that will allow you to work one on one with an Emplotmebt Specialist/Job Coach; they will advocate on your behalf in building relationships with potential employers of your communities to assist you in obtaining and maintaining employment to become independent and successful again on a job. If you are receiving SSA/SSDI;no worriea.. VR will assign you to speak to a Benefits Specialist to share how many hours you will be permitted to work so your benefits are not heavily impacted. Some of you may qualify for the Ticket to Work program through SSA.
The Employment Specialist/Job Coach will help you complete applications, practice mock interviews, take you out to meet employers to follow up on submitted applications,to continue to offer the opportunity to assist in onsite training and offsite training to assist you in the transition of gaining employment. The Employment Specialist will advocate on your behalf should you need any reasonable accommodations for you to be an effective employee.
So start to get your medical documents together, call your local Vocational Rehabilitation office, also known as Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to schedule an appointment. Joining this program is amazing! You will have someone out in the community building various rapports with community employers on your behalf,we qualify the employer; so we may learn if this company is best suitable job for you.
If you have any medical restrictions, your Employment Specialist will work with the Manager to assure that your needs are met; needing a chair to sit down while at work, if you require any additional breaks, having light cleaning duities with weight restrictions, creating task analysis or checklists for those with memory loss or learning disabilities, etc..
I came across this website and after reading all of your comments, I wanted to share that you CAN go back to work! You all have agencies ready to help you gain your independence again!
Oh! J. Lodge is a great work at home program, who also happens to work with Vocational Rehabilitation as a vendor. If you qualify, VR may be able to purchase you the necessary tools to work at home; J. Lodge requires two screen monitors and a large enough desk to make it work. Lots of info… sorry so long!
I’m on Social Security Disability. I have trouble with my back but I would like to work from home I speak Spanish
I am on disability, s.s.i. Had several operations on my neck and have chronic pain. I would love to have a part time job. I always held supervision position or work from home. My computer skills are pretty good.
Iam a bilingual profesional with experience in international business, project management and event planning. I had neck surgery 4 years ago and have chronic pain but i can work from home office where I have a cero gravity desk. Where can I look for employment? Any company needing bilingual people ( English and Spanish
I am a partial sighted CEO of an agency that trains adults with special needs and places them in employment. Advocacy is so important. I would like to bring this to Southern California or participate in some way.
Hi, I am a partial sighted person; can you tell me more about the organization.
Sounds good
Use power chair homebound will work from home get SSDI need computer I have customer service skills
I myself have a disability but I’m very capable of working. Working from would really be ideal for me.
IO have been back to work for about 9 Months and I have recently applied for a supervisor
position with the same company and I am hoping that I get it. As I am hoping for it to be a Full Time position than a seasonal Position I will soon be 66 and will be able to work full time instead of Part Time.
I’m on social security disability and I have been trying to get back in the workforce for over a year. I have applied for several jobs, and I have not been given an opportunity to interview.
I to am on Social Security Disability. I am looking to get back in the work force, but I am not being given opportunities to interview, for three reasons. 1-my age (53), 2-the gap in employment because of the disability, 3-the disability itself.
Where and how can i find work?
Thank you for this campaign. I am a mental health advocate and most people living with mental illness are judged negatively for an illness that approximately 5 percent of the US population lives with. By far the majority are functional, professional and have held positions in every spectrum of the work world. Thanks for the help in getting the word out!
I’m on Social Security disability and I have Trouble with my legs But I still want to go back to work