Targeted Research to Improve Employment through Identifying Keys to Successful Careers for People with Disabilities

In 2011, we began working with the Image Center, the Baltimore area Center for Independent Living, to develop a research to practice project to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.  Currently, approximately one-third of people with disabilities are employed in the U.S. and unemployment rates are often double that of similar people without disabilities.  Working with key staff from agencies providing employment services for people with disabilities, several Centers for Independent Living (CIL), and a Baltimore area community college, we  developed a literature review on successful employment, designed a research project to explore the differences between people with successful careers and people with similar skills and education who can’t find work, completed some preliminary research, and designed evidence based programs based on the research.  We also have developed several workshops targeted toward employers about successfully hiring people with disabilities and creating work environments that help employees with disabilities contribute fully in the workplace.