Federal Grants Fund Disability Employment in Six States
Author: U.S. Department of Labor
Published: 25 Sep 2014 - Updated: 7 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Announcement
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor details nearly $15 million in federal grants distributed to California, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and South Dakota through the Disability Employment Initiative. The information comes directly from a government source, making it particularly valuable for job seekers with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and workforce development agencies seeking reliable data about employment programs. These grants specifically target the expansion of American Job Centers to better serve both youth and adult populations with disabilities by hiring Disability Resource Coordinators, fostering partnerships between educational institutions and businesses, and integrating accessibility requirements into workforce systems. The initiative also connects participants to the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program, helping SSI and SSDI beneficiaries transition into sustainable employment while maintaining their benefits during the process.*
At a Glance
- 1 - This marks the fifth round of Disability Employment Initiative funding. The program now supports 37 projects across 26 states.
- 2 - Grants went to California, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The total awarded was $14,837,785.
- 3 - The funding is provided through the Employment and Training Administration and the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Both operate under the US Department of Labor.
- 4 - Each grantee must hire or designate a Disability Resource Coordinator with expertise in workforce and disability issues. This role helps drive the program goals within local American Job Centers.
Topic Definition
- Disability Employment Initiative
The Disability Employment Initiative is a federal grant program run jointly by the US Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration and its Office of Disability Employment Policy. It channels funding to state workforce agencies so that local American Job Centers can better serve youth and adults with disabilities. The program works by expanding career pathway systems, building partnerships among educational institutions, businesses, and disability advocates, and requiring participating agencies to become active Employment Networks under the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program. Rather than focusing on short-term job placement alone, it aims to build lasting infrastructure that moves participants toward genuine economic self-sufficiency, including those who receive Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
Overview
The U.S. Department of Labor announces $14,837,785 in grants to six states to improve employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities. The grants to California, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota and South Dakota are being awarded as part of the Disability Employment Initiative, funded by the department's Employment and Training Administration and Office of Disability Employment Policy.
"Breaking down barriers to employment for people with disabilities is important in order for our country to field a full team and ensure that no worker is left behind," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "The federal grants we're awarding today will help open many more doors to opportunities, providing people with disabilities with skills they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency."
These grants will help expand the capacity of local American Job Centers to improve employment outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities by increasing their participation in existing career pathway systems and programs that build on partnerships among local educational institutions, businesses and disability advocates.
This is the fifth round of funding through the Disability Employment Initiative, which now supports 37 projects in 26 states.
Grantees will use the funds to:
- Hire or designate a Disability Resource Coordinator, an expert in workforce and disability issues, to achieve program goals;
- Foster partnerships and collaboration at the state and local levels;
- Integrate resources and services; and
- Ensure that local American Job Centers comply with physical, programmatic and communications accessibility requirements.
This initiative also expands the public workforce system's participation in the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program by requiring participating state workforce agencies or local workforce boards to become active Employment Networks. Many Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries use the mainstream workforce system to seek employment opportunities. By serving as Employment Networks, grantees will build upon the workforce system's capacity to serve these groups.
These grants align closely with the Obama administration's job-driven training principles by requiring multiple workforce and disability service providers, educational institutions and businesses in each state to collaborate extensively with each other.
| Grantee | Amount |
|---|---|
| California Employment Development Department | $2,500,000 |
| Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | $2,499,573 |
| Kansas Department of Commerce | $2,495,294 |
| Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development | $2,500,000 |
| Total | $14,837,785 |
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
What is the Disability Employment Initiative?
It is a federal grant program from the US Department of Labor that helps state workforce agencies improve employment outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities.
Who administers the Disability Employment Initiative?
It is administered jointly by the Employment and Training Administration and the Office of Disability Employment Policy, both part of the US Department of Labor.
What is a Disability Resource Coordinator?
A Disability Resource Coordinator is an expert in workforce and disability issues who is hired or designated by a grantee to help achieve the programs goals at local American Job Centers.
What is an American Job Center?
An American Job Center is a local site in the public workforce system where people can access career services, training resources, and employment support.
What is the Ticket to Work Program?
It is a Social Security Administration program that helps beneficiaries pursue employment while receiving support, and the initiative connects participants to it through Employment Networks.
Who benefits from these grants?
Job seekers with disabilities, including many Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance recipients, along with the agencies and employers that serve them.
Why do people with disabilities face employment barriers?
Americans with disabilities have historically faced unemployment rates nearly double those of the general population, which reflects gaps in access, resources, and workplace accommodations.
How can states apply for Disability Employment Initiative funding?
States apply through competitive grant rounds announced by the US Department of Labor, and interested agencies should monitor official Department of Labor funding opportunity notices.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The fifth round of Disability Employment Initiative funding represents a significant step toward addressing the persistent employment gap that affects Americans with disabilities, who historically face unemployment rates nearly double those of the general population. By requiring grantees to become active Employment Networks and collaborate with multiple stakeholders - from community colleges to private employers - this program builds sustainable infrastructure rather than offering temporary solutions. The focus on career pathways and job-driven training principles reflects a shift from simple job placement to long-term economic self-sufficiency, potentially creating lasting change in how the American workforce system serves one of its most underutilized talent pools.*
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by U.S. Department of Labor and published on 25 Sep 2014, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.