DOL ODEP AUI

Situation

Add Us In is a new initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). The initiative was designed to identify and develop strategies to increase employment opportunities within the small business community for individuals with disabilities. The primary focus is targeted businesses that are owned and operated by minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals; women, and people with disabilities.

Task

ODEP hosted a National Diversity Forum to identify innovative models and strategies aimed at increasing the capacity within small business entities for integrated employment opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities. The Forum also supported the creation of the national network necessary for collaboration, dissemination, and implementation of successful policies and practices for increased labor force participation for people with disabilities in small business.

Action

HCDI coordinated logistics and public relations for three events. The first, an Expert Strategy Meeting, was held to brainstorm policies and best practices. Over 75 national experts gathered to leverage knowledge on the intersection of cultures (diversity, disability, and business). Second, a Grantee Meeting was held during which the four consortia (the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Community Partners-Integrated Recovery Networks, the Workplace Inc., and the University of Oklahoma) gathered to discuss strategies for connecting small business with untapped talent – people with disabilities. Finally, ODEP hosted a National Diversity Forum to identify policies and strategies to increase and improve the labor force participation for people with disabilities in small business.

Result

Awareness within the small business communities has increased and there is hope for a rise in employment for persons with disabilities. New relationships have been formed in an effort to implement new policies and practices to continuously increase employment opportunities.