Add Us In Initiative: $2.3M Disability Employment Grants

Author: U.S. Department of Labor
Published: 3 Aug 2010 - Updated: 9 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Announcement

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information originates from an official U.S. Department of Labor announcement regarding the Add Us In initiative, which allocated $2.3 million in federal funding through cooperative agreements to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in diverse business settings. The program targets businesses owned by underrepresented groups including African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino and Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women. The initiative proves valuable because it addresses two critical employment gaps simultaneously - creating jobs for workers with disabilities while strengthening diversity in business ownership and hiring practices. By requiring consortia that include youth organizations, disability service providers, business associations, and workforce development boards, the program builds practical support networks rather than just distributing funds. For job seekers with disabilities and advocacy groups, this represents concrete federal action backed by substantial resources and structured accountability measures.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Grant allotments range from $500,000 to $625,000 each. Up to four cooperative agreements will be funded in total.
• 2 - A prospective applicant webinar was scheduled for the grant competition. It gave interested groups guidance before applying.
• 3 - Then Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis championed the program publicly. She framed it as broadening job access for all Americans, including those with disabilities.
• 4 - Eligible applicants must be consortia representing four organization types, including a youth-serving group and a workforce investment board. This structure forces collaboration among partners who rarely work together.

Topic Definition

Add Us In Initiative

The Add Us In initiative is a U.S. Department of Labor grant program, run through the Office of Disability Employment Policy, that funds partnerships aimed at helping more people with disabilities find work within diverse and underrepresented business communities. Rather than handing money to a single organization, it requires groups to join forces as a consortium, pulling together youth organizations, disability service providers, business associations, and workforce development boards so that expertise on accommodations and real hiring practices can be shared in one place. The core idea is to build employment models that other businesses can copy, with a particular focus on companies owned by African-American, Asian-American, Latino and Hispanic, Native American, LGBTQ+, and women entrepreneurs, recognizing that disability and other forms of marginalization often overlap and create layered barriers to work.

Overview

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy has announced the availability of approximately $2.3 million in funding for the Add Us In initiative, which will fund up to four cooperative agreements with allotments ranging from $500,000 to $625,000 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; Latino or Hispanic Americans; members of federally recognized tribes and Native Americans; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals; and women.

"This administration is committed to broadening job opportunities for all Americans, including individuals with disabilities," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Add Us In initiative aims to help businesses develop effective, replicable models, strategies and policies to ensure people with disabilities have access to a broader range of employment opportunities."

Eligible applicants are consortia having representation from each of the following four organization types:

• A youth-serving organization.
• A disability-serving organization.
• An association of targeted businesses, a business association located in a target population community, or other similar entity.
• A local workforce investment board or other organization with demonstrated experience in providing training and employment-related support services, such as a One-Stop Career Center.

In addition to developing models, strategies and policies to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities, a consortium must also form and strengthen connections among the four organization types by building a network of disability and diversity experts.

There will be a prospective applicant webinar held for this grant competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Who administers the Add Us In initiative

The Add Us In initiative is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor through its Office of Disability Employment Policy.

When was the Add Us In initiative announced

The initiative was announced in a U.S. Department of Labor publication dated 3 Aug 2010.

What is a cooperative agreement in this program

A cooperative agreement is a funding arrangement where the government works closely with the recipient, and Add Us In funds up to four of them.

Can a single organization apply for Add Us In funding

No, only consortia with all four required organization types are eligible, so a single organization cannot apply on its own.

What is a One-Stop Career Center in this context

It is a local center that provides training and employment support services and can serve as the workforce partner in a consortium.

Why does the program target diverse business owners

It targets diverse business owners because barriers to work often multiply when disability overlaps with other forms of marginalization.

What does replicable model mean for this initiative

A replicable model is a proven strategy that other businesses can copy, allowing successful approaches to spread beyond the original grant recipients.

Does the funding fully solve disability unemployment

No, the funding is limited and is intended to develop and test models rather than resolve systemic unemployment on its own.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The Add Us In initiative marks a strategic shift in disability employment policy by recognizing that hiring barriers often multiply when disability intersects with other forms of marginalization. Rather than treating disability employment as a standalone issue, this program acknowledges what many job seekers already know - that a Latino worker with a disability or an African-American business owner seeking to hire disabled employees faces compounded challenges that generic programs can't address. The consortium requirement particularly stands out because it forces organizations that rarely collaborate to actually work together, sharing expertise between disability advocates who understand accommodations and business associations who understand hiring realities. While the $2.3 million won't solve systemic unemployment issues affecting people with disabilities, the focus on developing replicable models means successful strategies can spread beyond the initial grant recipients, potentially creating lasting change in how diverse businesses approach disability inclusion.*

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 3 Aug 2010, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.