2018 TASH Conference

The unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities remains at more than double that of the rest of the population; meanwhile, the job market is more competitive than it has been in recent history. Countless positions across the country are unfilled because employers are unable to find qualified people to hire or train. This demand has driven employers to consider candidates from much wider sources, including the talented pool of individuals with disabilities. For candidates with disabilities, however, there appears to be both real and perceived barriers at every turn. This opening session will focus on the ways individuals and families can connect with partners at both public and private agencies to aid them in their journey. Hear from the employer’s perspective on ways applicants can frame conversations and inform companies on how they can effectively meet the demands of a job. Attendees will also learn about approaches for young people to be effective advocates with potential employers and to learn about employer best practices on creating programs to serve as a pipelines for talented young people with disabilities to contribute to an organization.