$15M in Grants Announced to Improve Disability Employment Opportunities

Author: U.S. Department of Labor
Published: 2014/09/25 - Updated: 2023/11/30
Publication Type: Announcement / Notification
Topic: United States Employment - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Grants will help expand capacity of local American Job Centers to improve employment outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities.

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.

This is the fifth round of funding through the Disability Employment Initiative, which now supports 37 projects in 26 states.

Introduction

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.

Main Item

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:

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

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 2014/09/25, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, U.S. Department of Labor can be contacted at dol.gov NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

Explore Similar Topics

- This paper explores why disabled individuals in U.S. agriculture are more likely to become farm owners than employees, highlighting the need for economic incentives to boost employment.

- The project will assist individuals with disabilities nationwide to acquire certified skills needed for entry into high quality technology sectors.

Citing Information and Page References

Disabled World (DW) is a comprehensive online resource providing information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): U.S. Department of Labor. (2014, September 25 - Last revised: 2023, November 30). $15M in Grants Announced to Improve Disability Employment Opportunities. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 11, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/employment/usa/14-1764-nat.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/employment/usa/14-1764-nat.php">$15M in Grants Announced to Improve Disability Employment Opportunities</a>: Grants will help expand capacity of local American Job Centers to improve employment outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.