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