Bridging the Employment Gap: How Linkages Is Creating Inclusive Employment for People with Disabilities
In a world striving for inclusivity, employment remains an area where there's room for improvement, particularly when it comes to hiring disabled job seekers. In 2023 people with disabilities were 3 times less likely to be employed than their non-disabled peers. Direct's Linkages program addressing this issue; the program bridges the gap between employers and disabled people looking for employment.
The Linkages Program
Linkages has a simple goal: to see more disabled people employed! The primary way this is done is by linking employers to a network of job seekers through:
Attending accessible hiring events
Sharing hiring needs with their network of employment specialists (who directly work with jobseekers on job readiness)
Promoting their job openings via email
The Barriers and the Bridge
Barriers to employment for disabled people are more than just physical. Prejudices, lack of understanding disability, and attitudinal barriers often hinder the hiring process. Linkages acts as a bridge by educating employers on the benefits of and how to effectively recruit, hire, train, and promote disabled people. Education is share through advocacy efforts and formal training through Direct’s consulting services.
Benefits of Employing People with Disabilities
Employing people with disabilities isn't merely a matter of charity or fulfilling quotas. It offers tangible benefits to employers. Diverse workforces lead to increased creativity and innovation. Moreover, studies have shown that workplaces that are hire disabled employees see higher levels of commitment, lower turnover rates, and an overall positive company culture. Linkages, is more than just a program. It's a movement towards a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplace.
