The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy is offering $2.3 million to fund Add Us In, a program that works to increase the ability of businesses owned, operated and controlled by minorities to employ more people with disabilities.
The minority groups include African Americans; Asian Americans; Latino or Hispanic Americans; members of federally recognized Tribes and Native Americans; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender individuals; and women.
According to ODEOP, grant recipients will create replicable models that can be used by targeted businesses and associations of targeted businesses nationwide to reach out to people with disabilities in their communities, which can lead to improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities in these communities.
Overall, the unemployment rate for those with disabilities is around 14 percent, compared with 10 percent for persons with no disability. Researchers say minorities with disabilities are often at increased risk for unemployment. Among racial and ethnic groups, the highest overall estimated disability rate was for American Indians and Alaska Natives at 18.8 percent. Among Blacks or African Americans, the disability rate was 14.3 percent.
To apply for a grant of up to $625,000, view the details at the federal government’s grant website.
