Connections Are Key For Independent Living Centers To Increase Employment Options For Californians With Disabilities

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time since July 2008, the nation's unemployment rate dropped below 6 percent. While this is welcome news for many jobseekers, Californians with disabilities continue to encounter barriers to employment. Topping the list are employer bias and unreliable or non-existent transportation. California Independent Living Centers (ILCs), such as Resources for Independence Central Valley (RICV) and Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL), work together to eliminate these barriers by educating employers and connecting people with disabilities to agencies, programs and services that increase their employment opportunities and help them live independently.

"Connecting with employers to address their concerns, dispel misconceptions and eliminate barriers is a top priority for us," said RICV Executive Director Robert Hand. "Many employers believe people with disabilities can't meet job requirements or the disability will interfere with work performance. This simply isn't true."

RICV collaborates with others, including the Workforce Investment Board, Workability programs in Fresno and organizations in San Francisco on a Workforce Accelerator grant that addresses the requirement for federal contractors to ensure 7 percent of their workforce includes people with disabilities.

Both RICV and DRAIL also partner with the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), which refers individuals to ILCs approved as vendors by DOR for job preparation and placement services. The ILCs provide job coaching and training on creating resumes, strengthening interviewing skills, filling out applications, searching for jobs, setting up LinkedIn accounts and more. They continuously build new relationships with employers while making sure there's a good "fit" between the employee and employer.

"Our approach is to tell employers to hire the best person for the job, then demonstrate why the person we're referring is the best applicant," Hand remarked. "The disability is irrelevant if the applicants can do the job well – only their ability is important."

According to Ryan Moorman, DRAIL's Job Development Coordinator, it's critical to connect, not only with state agencies like the DOR, but also other ILCs.

"RICV helped us start our Job Development Program," noted Moorman. "We now offer a weekly job club for individuals to share their experiences and discuss topics relevant to seeking employment.  We also provide Work Incentive Planning Assistance services to help jobseekers understand how employment may affect their benefits. Through our connection with RICV, we've been able to exceed expectations."

ILCs also work together when it comes to transportation barriers. People living with disabilities can be deterred from applying for jobs because of unreliable public transportation or having to depend on someone else's schedule. Public transportation often has limited schedules and coverage and simply doesn't exist in many rural areas. In response to these barriers, ILCs join forces to advocate for improved public transportation options and offer training on navigating transportation systems.

"Public transportation can be undependable and, many times, gets consumers to their destinations or jobs 15 to 30 minutes late," explained Moorman. "Through education, Independent Living skills training and referrals to resources, people living with disabilities are better equipped to respond to these barriers."

Both Hand and Moorman see the results of their efforts to address employment barriers in the success stories of individuals the ILCs have served. Moorman recalls the story of a young man whose favorite hobby was attending car shows. By listening to the young man's needs and wants and providing job coaching and training, DRAIL found the perfect "fit" for him – a job detailing cars.

"Stories like these are gratifying," said Moorman, "particularly, as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October and continue making key connections on behalf of Californians with disabilities."

The California State Independent Living Council (SILC) is an independent state agency which, in cooperation with the California State Department of Rehabilitation, prepares and monitors the State Plan for Independent Living.

The SILC Mission: To Create Policy and System Change for Independent Living

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SOURCE California State Independent Living Council (SILC)