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Breaking News – 18,349 new jobs for people with disabilities in Kentucky

Breaking News – 18,349 new jobs for people with disabilities in Kentucky

Published by Stephanie Farfan on March 9, 2018

Washington, D.C., March 9 — As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 18,349 more people with disabilities in Kentucky gained employment. People with disabilities previously have been left out of periods of economic growth. Today’s workforce system is better aligned to enable people with disabilities to succeed, just like anyone else.

According to RespectAbility, a national nonprofit organization that fights stigma and advances opportunity for people with disabilities, Kentucky now ranks 46^thon jobs for people with disabilities. In total, there are 439,748 working-age people with disabilities living in that state and 133,926 of them have jobs. Under the leadership of Governor Matt Bevin, Kentucky only has a 30.5 percent employment rate for its people with disabilities. However, today it is improving.

Breaking News – 19,978 new jobs for people with disabilities in Michigan

Breaking News – 19,978 new jobs for people with disabilities in Michigan

Published by Stephanie Farfan on March 9, 2018

Washington, D.C., March 9 — As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 19,978 more people with disabilities in Michigan gained employment. People with disabilities previously have been left out of periods of economic growth. Today’s workforce system is better aligned to enable people with disabilities to succeed, just like anyone else.

According to RespectAbility, a national nonprofit organization that fights stigma and advances opportunity for people with disabilities, Michigan now ranks 38^thon jobs for people with disabilities. In total, there are 764,335 working-age people with disabilities living in that state and 254,334 of them have jobs. Under the leadership of Governor Rick Snyder, Michigan has a 33.3 percent employment rate for its people with disabilities and outperforms Maine, New York, and Florida.

Breaking News – 3,823 new jobs for people with disabilities in Minnesota

Published by Ryan Knight on March 9, 2018

Ranked 3^rdin America, MN Gov. Dayton said, “We made it a priority”

Washington, D.C., March 9 — As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 3,823 more people with disabilities in Minnesota gained employment. People with disabilities previously have been left out of periods of economic growth. Today’s workforce system is better aligned to enable people with disabilities to succeed, just like anyone else.

This week, America’s governors gathered in Washington for the National Governors Association meeting to talk about these and other key issues During the Winter Meeting, Governor Mark Dayton took questions about jobs for people with disabilities in Minnesota. When asked, Governor Dayton said: “We made it a priority. We worked hard with outreach with leaders in the disability community. To let them know that we have jobs starting in the state government. [I’m] thrilled to know that we’re leading the country; we have more to do. We have wonderful people that have great talents and we have men and women with disabilities in our office as well as the governor’s residence and they do fantastic work, so I hope this trend will continue.”

Breaking News – 4,739 new jobs for people with disabilities in Mississippi

Published by Adrienne Baez on March 9, 2018

Gov. Bryant: “You find people who want to work and have exceptional talents to do so.”

Washington, D.C., March 9 — As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 4,739 more people with disabilities in Mississippi gained employment. People with disabilities previously have been left out of periods of economic growth. Today’s workforce system is better aligned to enable people with disabilities to succeed, just like anyone else.

This week, America’s governors gathered in Washington for the National Governors Association meeting to talk about these and other key issues During the Winter Meeting, Governor Phil Bryant took questions about jobs for people with disabilities in Mississippi. When asked, Governor Bryant said: “We have job fairs; those have been very successful. You have to have a deliberate effort to go out and make sure that you find people who want to work and have exceptional talents to do so.”

Breaking News – 2,305 new jobs for people with disabilities in Maine

Breaking News – 2,305 new jobs for people with disabilities in Maine

Published by Stephanie Farfan on March 9, 2018

Washington, D.C., March 9 — As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 2,305 more people with disabilities in Maine gained employment. People with disabilities previously have been left out of periods of economic growth. Today’s workforce system is better aligned to enable people with disabilities to succeed, just like anyone else.

According to RespectAbility, a national nonprofit organization that fights stigma and advances opportunity for people with disabilities, Maine now ranks 39^thon jobs for people with disabilities. In total, there are 109,376 working-age people with disabilities living in that state and 36,357 of them have jobs. Under the leadership of Governor Paul LePage, Maine has a 33.2 percent employment rate for its people with disabilities and outperforms many states.

Breaking News – 5,531 people with disabilities lose jobs in Alabama as State Ranked 49th in America

Breaking News – 5,531 people with disabilities lose jobs in Alabama as State Ranked 49th in America

Published by Stephanie Farfan on March 9, 2018

Washington, D.C., March 9 — As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities around the country are gaining jobs, success and independence. However, while nationally the growth of new jobs for people with disabilities went up four-fold, according to new data, 5,531 people with disabilities in Alabama lost jobs.

According to RespectAbility, a national nonprofit organization that fights stigma and advances opportunity for people with disabilities, Alabama now ranks 49^thon jobs for people with disabilities. In total, there are 421,135 working-age people with disabilities living in that state and only 115,799 of them have jobs. Alabama has a 27.5 percent employment rate for its people with disabilities.

Breaking News – 5,329 new jobs for Hoosiers with disabilities

Published by Adrienne Baez on March 9, 2018

Gov. Holcomb: “I want to make sure Hoosiers are meeting their true potential”

Washington, D.C., March 9 — As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 5,329 more Hoosiers with disabilities became employed. People with disabilities have previously been left out of periods of economic growth, today’s workforce system is better aligned to enable people with disabilities to succeed, just like anyone else.

As America’s governors gathered in Washington for the National Governors Association meeting to talk about these and other key issues during the Winter Meeting, Governor Eric Holcomb took questions about jobs for people with disabilities in Indiana. Governor Holcomb said: “We have to do more. I want to make sure Hoosiers are meeting their true potential and that they can pursue what they are passionate about. That includes folks who find themselves trapped in a cycle” He went on to add “[That includes] folks who are intellectually/developmentally disabled right now that could be doing so much more if they too had the opportunity.”

Breaking News – 4,071 new jobs for people with disabilities in Arkansas

Published by Adrienne Baez on March 9, 2018

Gov. Hutchinson says “everyone should have those opportunities”

Washington, D.C., March 9 — As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 4,071 more people with disabilities in Arkansas gained employment. People with disabilities previously have been left out of periods of economic growth. Today’s workforce system is better aligned to enable people with disabilities to succeed, just like anyone else.

America’s governors gathered in Washington for the National Governors Association meeting to talk about these and other key issues During the Winter Meeting, Governor Asa Hutchinson took questions about jobs for people with disabilities in Arkansas. When asked, Governor Hutchinson said: “It’s about featuring it, it’s about recognizing the importance and dignity of work and that everybody should have those opportunities.”

7,191 new jobs for people with disabilities in Tennessee

Published by Tameir Yeheys on March 5, 2018

Washington, March 5 – As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 7,191 more people with disabilities in Tennessee became employed. People with disabilities have previously been left out of periods of economic growth, today’s workforce system is better aligned to enable people with disabilities to succeed, just like anyone else.

This week, America’s governors gathered in Washington for the National Governors Association meeting to talk about these and other key issues During the Winter Meeting, Governor Bill Haslam took questions about jobs for people with disabilities in Tennessee. When asked, Governor Haslam said: “You know in Tennessee we have a fundamental belief that all means all, and so when we talk about increasing the job environment workforce opportunities, we think that covers everyone.” He went on to add “Our department of Intellectual Development disabilities working with our Department of Human services, our economic community development folks have worked really hard to put programs together to match employers with folks with disabilities and appropriate skill level jobs and its working.”

New York State Falls to 40th in the U.S. in Jobs for People with Disabilities

New York State Falls to 40th in the U.S. in Jobs for People with Disabilities

Published by Adrienne Baez on February 22, 2018

NYC’s High School Graduation Rate Also Lags Significantly Behind National Average

New York, NY, Feb. 22 – Even as the national economy improves, New Yorkers with disabilities are left behind. The newly released Disabilities Statistics Compendium, published by the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire reveals that out of more than 1,000,000 working-age New Yorkers with disabilities, only 367,478 have jobs. Adding to that is a new analysis published by RespectAbility, a national nonprofit organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities for people with disabilities, which shows that New York now ranks 40^th in the nation for employment of people with disabilities. This is a drop of seven states. Even though more than 5,000 more New Yorkers with disabilities entered the workforce last year, the Empire State is outperformed by almost 80 percent of the country.

Senators Discuss Opioid Painkillers Overdose Epidemic

Senators Discuss Opioid Painkillers Overdose Epidemic

Published by Julia Wood on October 27, 2017

Washington, D.C., Oct. 27 – “I woke up in the morning to my wife screaming, ‘Thad, wake up! Thad, wake up!’” said Todd Burke, father of then 22-year-old Thad Burke. The grieving father spoke with a shaky voice through tears to an audience of journalists and advocates live on stage at The Washington Post’s panel on ‘Addiction In America: A Nation Responds’ last week.

Clutched in his hands a tin can of what formerly held protein powder that now held his son’s ashes, Burke shared his story.

24 Governors Celebrate Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

24 Governors Celebrate Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on October 25, 2017

Rockville, Md., Oct. 25 – In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), 26 governors have joined together to show their support through public proclamations, executive orders and press statements. Expanding employment opportunities is not partisan, as both Democrats and Republicans are quick to recognize the abilities of what people with disabilities can accomplish.

“Disability Employment Awareness Month is a great way to emphasize the importance of the contributions of persons with disabilities,” said Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana. “Our businesses and communities can greatly benefit from the integrated, competitive employment of persons with disabilities.”

Voters with Disabilities Matter – This Year and Every Year

Voters with Disabilities Matter – This Year and Every Year

Published by Philip Pauli on September 26, 2017

Washington, Sept. 26 – RespectAbility is honored to participate in the sixth annual National Voter Registration Day (NVRD), a nonpartisan effort to encourage people to register to vote and make their voices heard in our nation’s political process. Today, organizations nationwide will register thousands of new voters.

However, if you read the news today, many people might feel discouraged, disconnected or unconvinced that their voices matter. Last year, it was clear that getting the vote out mattered with the high stakes of a presidential race and key Senate contests across the country. What about this year? Why should people get out, get registered and get out the voter in a quiet year like 2017? The reason is simple.

Supreme Court Unanimous in Decision to Provide More Educational Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Supreme Court Unanimous in Decision to Provide More Educational Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on March 22, 2017

Washington, March 22 – The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday in favor of higher educational standards for children with a disability in one of the most important education cases in decades.

The case, Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, argued just how much educational benefit public schools must provide. While some lower courts had ruled the need for a “meaningful” educational benefit, others required only a bit more than de minimis – the bare minimum.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court discussed nine different levels of standards of education. They ruled unanimously (8-0) that schools must do more than provide “merely more than de minimis” education for students with a disability and instead provide them with the opportunity to make “appropriately ambitious” progress.

Dannel Malloy Links Medicaid, Mental Health and Employment for People with Disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on March 1, 2017

Washington, March 1 – Employment opportunities for people with disabilities are critically linked to other important issues such as Medicaid and mental health support. per Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut.

Malloy said his state his ‘”working hard… to make sure we are expanding opportunities for people with disabilities and differences.”

Addressing a press conference hosted by the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Saturday, on the sidelines of the National Governors Association Winter Meeting, the Democratic governor also talked about the importance “of taking care of people in other ways, including healthcare.”

Brian Sandoval Speaks with Pride about Jobs for Nevadans with Disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on February 28, 2017

Washington, Feb. 28 – Speaking abut the improving economy of Nevada, Gov. Brian Sandoval said “it has to be an economy that is available to everyone,” especially for Nevadans with disabilities.

Speaking with The RespectAbility Report on the sidelines of the National Governors Association’s Winter Meeting, the Republican governor stressed the importance of disability employment. He highlighted the inclusive hiring efforts being done by Starbucks at their Carson Valley Roasting Plant and Distribution Center in Minden, Nevada. In 2015, Sandoval visited the graduation ceremony for the inaugural class of Starbucks Inclusion Academy graduates. The Inclusion Academy is an “on-the-job training program for people with cognitive and physical disabilities” that prepares them for exciting careers at the global coffee giant’s largest distribution plant. One of the plant’s employees, a Special Olympics athlete named Shawn Stainbrook said that “going to work at Starbucks”…gave him “goals” and taught him to “never give up.”

Matt Mead on Wyoming’s First in the Nation Standing on Jobs for People with Disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on February 27, 2017

Washington, Feb. 27 – With 57 percent of their citizens with disabilities employed, the state of Wyoming has good reason to be proud. Speaking with The RespectAbility Report at the National Governor’s Association’s Winter Meeting, Gov. Matt Mead credited Wyoming’s “culture and heritage” for why his state has the highest employment rate for people with disabilities of any state in the nation.

Mead says this culture is part of a common desire to “make sure we are doing our best for every one of our citizens.” Mead added that people in his state understand that what is “best for our state” is “giving every citizen an opportunity.”

Asa Hutchinson Talks about Jobs for People with Disabilities in Arkansas

Published by Philip Pauli on February 27, 2017

Washington, Feb. 27 – According to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, jobs matter because “everybody, no matter of a disability or not, has a desire to work, a desire to contribute and to be meaningful in life.”

Speaking at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting, the Republican governor of Arkansas also emphasized the critical impact of employment in terms of “opportunity” and “fulfillment” and the sense of “really contributing something.”

People with disabilities face serious physical, attitudinal and economic barriers to entering the workforce and earning an income. In Arkansas alone, there are 264,777 working-age people with disabilities. Out of that number, 81,376 have jobs for a total employment rate of 30.7 percent. That percentage puts Arkansas at 43 out of all 50 states. However, the employment rate for people with disabilities in Arkansas is slowly trending upward. Between 2014 and 2015, 4,016 Arkansans with disabilities entered the workforce. Looking at RespectAbility’s 2016 Best and Worst States Report, Arkansas has risen in the ranking, up to 43^rd in the nation from 45^th last year.

Doug Ducey Talks Civics Education and Students with Disabilities at NGA

Published by Philip Pauli on February 26, 2017

Washington, Feb. 26 – At a special session of the National Governors Association’s Winter Meeting, Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona focused on the importance of civics education for all students, including children with disabilities. He introduced a video presentation from the Joe Foss Institute about the lack of civic knowledge and political engagement among young people today.

“It’s cute when a 5-year-old doesn’t know who the current president is,” Ducey said to the audience gathered at the NGA. “But when 10 percent of our college graduates believe that Judge Judy sits on the Supreme Court, it’s not that funny.”

Kate Brown Celebrates Curb Cut Movement at NGA Winter Meeting

Kate Brown Celebrates Curb Cut Movement at NGA Winter Meeting

Published by Philip Pauli on February 26, 2017

Washington, Feb. 26 – Speaking this weekend, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s focus was firmly on job opportunities for all Oregonians, including people with disabilities.

“We will be working hard to make sure that Oregon’s economy continues to thrive,” the Democratic governor said at this weekend’s National Governors Association Winter Meeting. “It’s about jobs; it’s about kids. It’s about making sure that Oregonians have the door of opportunity open for them.“

Responding to a question from RespectAbility’s reporting staff about workforce development, Brown immediately talked about curb cuts and social activism as a metaphor to talk about building an inclusive economy.