Employment First

High level of povery, lack of transportation, high unemployment, are issues that tremendously affect the lives of people with disabilities. We in Northwest Indiana are coming together to find solutions with the support of Work To Include.

People with disabilities want to be rulers of their own destiny. This is hard to do when we live in a community where transportation and getting from one location to another is filled with obstacles: lack of sidewalks, broken concrete, unshoveled snow to overgrown weeds. Requesting a ride causes dependency and its unreliable for someone that has obtained a job and needs to get to the place of employment on time.

Last May we had Employment Town Hall Meetings theoughout the State and the City of Gary through Causes for Change jumped at the opportunity to be included and have our voices heard.

This March, Causes for Change invited a group of leaders to to discuss ways to influence policy changes, hiring practices, apprenticeships, self-employment and entrepreneuship opportunities. Some great recommendations were made, including conducting a City Accessibility and Needs Assessment.

This October has been set to launch a major employment campaign on the hiring of people with disabilities as a great investment for employers.