New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.

Disability Press Releases: 2017

New Horizons Un-Limited

Supporting Opportunities for People with Disabilities via Employment Training and Work Experience

For more information, contact:
New Horizons Un-Limited
811 E. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 937
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 299-0124
Email: horizons@new-horizons.org

New Horizons Un-Limited - Supporting Opportunities for People with Disabilities via Employment Training and Work Experience

We vision the guarantee that our communities’ citizens with disabilities have the same opportunities to participate in American life; to enjoy employment opportunities, have the opportunity to purchase goods and services and to participate in local and state programs and services.

Without this guarantee, citizens with disabilities are unable to participate and non-participation will not strengthen, but undermine our ability as a nation to prosper.

Employment is a challenge for people with disabilities in the U.S. From employers to employees, from instructors and rehabilitators to students, and from agencies to those grasping for an opportunity for employment; however, there are changes on the horizon.

We believe that fulfillment can be achieved in many different ways and at every stage of life. It is our mission to offer individuals the path toward a fulfilling life and gain a greater control of their future.

We recognize that employment may not be possible for everyone, but we also believe that fulfillment can be achieved in many different ways and at every stage of life. It is our mission to offer individuals the path toward a fulfilling life and gain a greater control of their future.

There are many things we could be doing, NOW, to ensure a bright future!

Employers are looking for people with experience, however, often people cannot gain that experience without an employer taking a chance on them. Through the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, candidates are working toward identifying those skills for which they excel and those for which they need additional education or training.

New Horizons Un-Limited provides Employment Training and Work Experience. Temporary workers come to us through the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and through our program we train and evaluate their skills in the work environment to see those for which they need additional education or training.

Let us introduce two individuals with whom we worked this past year. Both had graduated from high school, but needed an opportunity to show an aptitude for computer or information technology to pursue their career dreams. Both Chris and Mikal proved to be hard working, well organized, and creative problem solvers. Upon completion of their Employment Training and Work Experience with us, we were able to recommend both of them capable in refurbishing computers, to be very productive employees, and ready for continuing education or employment.

We recently learned that Mikal has accepted employment in cell phone repair and Chris is finishing post-secondary education and will be ready to pursue employment this fall. Congratulations to both as they continue their career paths!

What can YOU do to assist people with disabilities to get the opportunity to gain job experience?

If you are an EMPLOYER, we encourage you to:

• See our NHU page for Employers for resources on Best Practices, Hiring Employees with Disabilities, Incentives for Hiring.
• Analyze your company's needs in regards to tasks and skills? Are there tasks for which physically ability is not required? Do you require people who have certain skill sets? What strengths do you look for in the individuals you hire? Learn what skills you offer through your employment.
• Find out more about people with disabilities, whether it is through a veterans organization or the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). What strengths and skills do these individuals have?
• Can you make a match; with skill strengths and job tasks?
• Contact your local DVR and ask to work with an Employment Provider, write a job description, request candidates, interview, take on a Temporary Work Employee or two and possibly offer some introductory training in exchange for the work a candidate will perform for the next 3 months. DVR will compensate the employee and there is no cost to you the work experience employer.
• In Wisconsin if the person has potential, hire them through the On the Job Training (OJT) in which you can hire for several months and pay only 50% of their wages. The OJT provides reimbursements to employers to help compensate for the costs associated with training and loss of production for newly hired employees.
• As an employer, you can take advantage of various programs that encourage the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities. This will also make you eligible for tax credits that help cover the cost of accommodations for employees with disabilities. While this is an excellent way to expand and enhance your business, keep in mind that you will need to comply with certain legal requirements concerning the accommodation of employees with disabilities. For more information, visit this article from the U.S. Small Business Administration Hiring People with Disabilities

Are you, as an EMPLOYER, still skeptical about hiring people with disabilities?

• Job accommodations or making your business ADA compliant may not be as expensive as you think.
• People with disabilities do not miss work any more or less than any other worker.
• People with disabilities will meet job expectations as well as any other worker, as long as job accommodations are allow people to meet the standards.
• People with disabilities will meet and exceed job performance based on job qualifications.
• Hiring people with disabilities will not raise your company's worker's compensation insurance rates or health insurance premiums.

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