Individuals with disabilities have the highest (80%) rate of unemployment and are an untapped source of qualified candidates. People with disabilities contribute to a diverse, innovative workforce; have equal to or higher performance rates; and are less likely to resign than non-disabled workers. Employment contributes to the state economy and can reduce individual poverty and dependency on systems of long-term services and supports.
Services have shifted away from employment and job supports to non-work services that do not assist participants in accessing a productive career path and meaningful work in the community. National efforts are in place to increase opportunities for integrated employment with a meaningful wage. A total of 32 states have legislation, a formal policy directive, or other official state mandate addressing employment as a priority outcome. North Carolina has many employment initiatives in place, but does not yet have a statewide policy to address employment for persons with disabilities, despite it being a priority goal among individuals.
- Statewide Employment First Position Paper, adopted 2012
- NCCDD Employment First Talking Points
- Stakeholder Engagement Group (SEG) Outcomes and Expectations: Integrated Employment
- NC Employment First Steering Committee
- Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Program (ODEP)
- Employment First State Mentoring Leadership Award to North Carolina
- Fifteen in FY2015: ODEP Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program
- State Employment Leadership Network (SELN)
- NCCDD Fact Sheet on Benefits to Businesses on Employing Persons with Disabilities
- NC Business Leadership Network (NCBLN)
- Governor Proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 2014
- A Better Bottom Line: Employing Persons with Disabilities, Blueprint for Governors: National Governors Association (NGA) Initiative: Toolkit
- Federal Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WOIA):
- WOIA Bill Text
- Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) Fact Sheet on WOIA (other files included)
- Presidents Executive Order on Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors
- Presidents Executive Order on Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities
- Sheltered Workshops and the Subminimum Wage in NC: Incentives and Accountability Report (Disability Rights North Carolina)
- US Senate Report: High Expectations: Transforming the American Workforce as the ADA Generation Comes of Age
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