Individuals with Disabilities
(includes those who do and do not receive disability benefits or may or may not be under a doctor's restrictions)
Embedded Files
People with disabilities represent a significant talent pool. In the U.S.: one in four adults has some type of disability (whether visible or invisible). Despite wanting to work, people with disabilities are employed at a much lower rate than their peers, and the vast majority of people with disabilities are striving to work.
In South Central KY, only 42.8% of adults 18 - 64 years old are participating in the workforce. By tapping into this talent pool, employers can gain access to nearly 20,000 working-age people in our region.
Inclusive practices not only support people with disabilities--inclusion creates a more accepting and supportive workforce for all employees. Employers with strong disability inclusion programs can expect higher engagement from all employees.
Below are local service providers serving this population, best practices, employer resource guides and a primary point of contact for accessing these South Central Kentuckians.
Local Point of Contact for Programs & Services for Individuals with Disabilities:
Paula Brooks, Job Placement Specialist II, Vocational Rehabilitation 270-418-8104 Email Paula
Employment Services Providers
Best Practices for Employers (Online Resources)
Best Practices for Employers (Online Resources)
Job Accommodation Network (Website)The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. Serving customers across the United States and around the world for 40 years, JAN provides free one-on-one practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities. JAN provides individualized consultation
EARN Messaging and Branding (Website) Recruitment best practices. EARN has a multitude of other resources and best practices for employers that are worth exploring in other sections of their website.
Disability Benefits 101 (Website): A Kentucky-specific resource geared towards individuals with disabilities who are considering the costs and gains of both going to work and receiving disability benefits.
Workforce Recruitment Program for recent grads (Website): The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) helps federal employers hire people with disabilities for internships or permanent jobs. Any Federal Government employee can register for an account. The WRP database contains more than 2,000 resumes from college students, graduate students, and recent graduates with disabilities from a wide variety of majors and backgrounds.
Work to Include Employer Toolkit (Website): While this is an Indiana-focused resource, the Employer Toolkit features actionable steps to integrate inclusive hiring practices for individuals with disabilities into your workplace. We recommend contacting the Service Providers listed above for specific personal assistance towards any of the recommended steps.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse