THE ABLE NETWORK

JULY 2022

Happy New Year Everyone!

No, the heat hasn’t baked my brains. July is the start of The Able Trust’s new year. I want to highlight some of our accomplishments from the previous year and let you know what to expect in the new one.

2021-2022 Accomplishments Include:

Successful in-person High School High Tech program coordinator training,
Successful in-person Project Venture competition in Orlando,
Developed data driven and impact focused three-year strategic plan,
Hosted webinars providing information on what employers are looking for as well as how to improve partnerships between CareerSource Florida and VR,
Started comprehensive Florida-specific research project.

Coming in 2022-2023

Launch Inclusive Florida initiative to make Florida the most inclusive workforce in the country,
Begin collecting vital information from partners through provider survey and listening sessions,
Release new disability employment research,
Roll out Able Trust Impact Projects,
Roll out the Able Network and Think Tank.

You will hear more about what's “coming soon” as the year progresses, and we get all of our ducks in a row. We have new staff members joining us in the new year too, and you might start seeing them in our newsletters.

Our 2021-2022 would not have been as successful as it was without the contributions of all of you, our partners. We plan to strengthen our relationship with you, find ways to collaborate and elevate your work and lastly, find ways to fill the gaps that will support more Floridians with disabilities entering the workforce.

Best regards,

Joey D'Souza

WE'RE LISTENING!

An important part of our Inclusive Florida initiative is hearing from our partners throughout Florida. We have started holding Listening Sessions and we appreciate the valuable insights you are all sharing.

Throughout the summer, we will continue these meetings and plan on holding Listening Sessions in Brevard County, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee.

Be on the lookout for invitations as they are scheduled and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Joey D'Souza at [email protected].

ICYMI:

In case you missed it, The Able Trust released a new report that shows more than 700,000 persons with disabilities in Florida could help ease the state’s workforce shortage.

Solving Florida’s Labor Shortage: The Hidden Solution indicates that while more job seekers with disabilities are in the workforce than in past years -- a 20.3 percent increase from 2016 to 2020 -- a workforce participation gap of more than 40 percentage points still persists.

One of the major differences between the potential workforce with a disability and those without a disability is the difference in percentages of those groups that either don’t work, work part-time, or work full-time. A high percentage of persons with a disability between age 20 and 64 do not work – 58.1 percent, compared to only 18.3 percent for those who have no disability.

Florida has nearly 500,000 unfilled jobs, and forecasts indicate substantial growth in new jobs annually between now and 2030. Businesses and employers are beginning to recognize the value of hiring from nontraditional sources of talent, and Floridians with disabilities are part of the workforce shortage solution.

To download the report, click here.

CAREERSOURCE FLORIDA CORNER

We are pleased to add a new feature to our monthly newsletter from our partner CareerSource Florida. Each month we will include helpful job search tips and services we believe will be very informative. In this first issue, CareerSource Florida shares an overview of their job readiness services.

Job Search Services from the Disability Employment Specialists

CareerSource Florida, the state’s workforce policy and investment board, is committed to disability employment. Each of CareerSource Florida’s 100 career centers includes at least one disability employment specialist who can provide individuals with disabilities access to high-quality workforce services and prepare them for competitive integrated employment.

CareerSource Florida’s Ticket to Work Program serves customers with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Our disability employment specialists have received additional training on various types of assistive technology, such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, Jaws, ZoomText and more, to better assist customers to achieve their employment goals. In addition, we provide the following services to customers with disabilities:

Job readiness skills.

Individual Work Plan development.
Referrals and job placement assistance.
Benefits planning support, which helps customers understand the impact of work on their benefits such as cash, medical, housing, personal care services and food benefits.
Technical assistance on the use of assistive technology in the career centers.
Follow-up services once employment is obtained.

Take the next step on your career path by visiting your local CareerSource Florida career center. Find your local team by heading to careersourceflorida.com/career-services.

Your support ensures Floridians with disabilities have opportunities to gain meaningful employment.

To make your tax-deductible donation to The Able Trust,

click here.

Forward this newsletter to other colleagues, and business and community leaders who care about being more inclusive.

Click here to join our mailing list

We welcome the opportunity to share information about disability employment. Invite us to speak at your upcoming board meeting, conference or webinar.

Click here to fill out our Speaker Request form

Share This Email

Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy