ADEC is proud to support National Disability Employment Month. Now, more than ever, business leaders and employers should consider making the effort to hire individuals with disabilities, as they make up an often-overlooked part of society and remain a mostly untapped workforce.

In 2020, just 17.9 percent of people with disabilities were employed compared to 61.8 percent of those who do not have disabilities (Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics-2020, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor).

Between the hesitancy of some people with disabilities who would like to work, but don’t know where to begin, and the misconceptions of possible employers, there is an ongoing disconnect. ADEC strives to bridge this gap and has an entire department, Employment Services, that supports those efforts.

Employment Services works towards placements in local businesses. Working collaboratively with Vocational Rehabilitation and area businesses, ADEC’s Employment Coaches help individuals with disabilities find meaning and purpose through job placements in both Elkhart and St. Joe Counties. Our coaches match workers with disabilities to open jobs in the area while also providing job coaching, training, assistance, and support for the employees at no cost to the employer.

For more information, or to enquire about hiring a Community Employment client, call (574)522-7751 or email [email protected].