As a partner in the Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy’s “Add Us In” Initiative, BizFed Institute and LA Consortium members attended a National Disability Forum in August 2011 in Washington, DC, to share best-practices and other information toward boosting employment of workers with disabilities.
In attendance included: BizFed Institute, Homeboy Industries, Integrated Recovery Network, USC School of Occupational Therapy, and South Bay Workforce Investment Board.
At the forum, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced the availability of approximately $1.6 million in additional funding for the Add Us In initiative, which will fund up to three cooperative agreements with allotments ranging from $500,000 to $550,000 each.
The initiative is designed to increase the ability of companies to employ individuals with disabilities, particularly businesses owned and operated by African-Americans; Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders; Latinos; members of federally recognized tribes and Native Americans; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals; and women.
“The Labor Department is committed to ensuring that every American who wants a job can find one, including people with disabilities. The Add Us In initiative will help businesses develop strategies to provide a broader range of employment opportunities for this underutilized group of workers,” said Secretary Solis.
View the full slideshow from the Forum here.