Add Us In Initiative: $2.3M for Disability Employment
Author: U.S. Department of Labor
Published: 2010/08/03 - Updated: 2026/01/14
Publication Type: Announcement
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates - Related Publications
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.
Introduction
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.
Main Content
"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.
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 2010/08/03, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.