October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and ILRC marked the occasion by hosting a Coffee Social for community partners and consumers to discuss, “Working with a Disability: Why or Why Not?” Seventeen individuals attended including consumers, a candidate for the MO House of Representatives, staff from the Governor’s Council on Disability, MORE Group and the American Red Cross as well as parents of youth with disabilities. A discussion ensued of what some of the barriers there are for individuals with disabilities to join the workforce. Barriers identified include transportation options, companies’ willingness to provide accommodations, concerns about benefits continuing and many others. After identifying a list of barriers participants discussed those they feel are the most important and identified possible solutions.
Thank you Panera Bread for the donation of pastries.
