A. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Jobs Report released on April 10, 2023, the US employment rate for Americans with disabilities is 40.2% vs. 77.6% of Americans without disabilities. This is a vast, untapped talent pool.

A. According to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN)’s 2023 report, business survey participants reported the following benefits...

* Safety increased 31%

* Co-worker interactions improved 34%

* Interactions with customers improved 22%

* The company’s overall morale increased by 30%

* Productivity increased by 21%

* Overall company attendance increased by 19%

A. Perhaps you hire an individual who uses a wheelchair and s/he Is tasked with maintaining some paper files. This person is unable to reach the top filing cabinet drawers.
However, if the files are rearranged and placed in lower filing cabinet drawers, the worker can access them while seated in a wheelchair. The dollar cost for this accommodation is $0. It only requires time to rearrange the filing drawers.

A. No. It is up to every worker to arrange for their transportation to and from work, regardless of whether or not they have a disability.
Government services exist to assist workers with disabilities overcome transportation barriers. Companies like MY PATH, LLC work with clients and government agencies to make sure that transportation is not a barrier to employment.

A. The ADA contains provisions whereby an employer is permitted to terminate the employment of a worker with a disability. These conditions are...

* A worker's disability is unrelated to the termination

* With or without a reasonable accommodation, the employee does not meet

the legitimate requirements for the job (ex. production standards or performance)

* The worker poses a direct threat to the safety or health in the workplace as a result of his/her disability.

A. Organizations like MY PATH offer consulting services to train managers on the best approach to providing a culture that embraces those with disabilities. Visit the MY PATH Business Training & Consultation page to see how MY PATH can help your company learn to manage workers with neurodiverse conditions.

A. After you have made the decision to expand your talent pool to include those with disabilities, you can reach out to an organization such as MY PATH to assist in the implementation of this goal. Whether you need consulting services to train your managers on managing individuals with neurodiverse conditions, or you simply want to tap into the often-overlooked talent pool of individuals with disabilities, they can help. MY PATH offers opportunities for businesses to hire individuals with disabilities. The first step is to contact MY PATH and start the discussion to find a solution that meets your needs.

A. MY PATH partners with community businesses to offer work experiences for its clients with disabilities. Work experiences could include full or part-time employment, internships, job try-outs, and volunteering.

A. No, it doesn't cost businesses anything to become a MY PATH Community Business Partner. MY PATH simply partners with community businesses to provide opportunities to work for its clients with disabilities.

A. No, you are not obligated to hire any candidate presented to you. We understand the importance of finding good matches for positions. Ultimately, we strive for long-term placements that are beneficial to both our clients and your company and that process starts with placing a qualified candidate into an open position.

A. MY PATH arranges for a variety of work experiences such as full and part-time employment, internships, job try-outs, and volunteer positions. Please contact us to start a conversation about which arrangement best meets your needs.

A. MY PATH prides itself on its personal service for its clients and Community Business Partners. Every client that we work with is assigned an Employment Specialist or a Job Coach, who is also your contact for the individual placed in a position at your company.
If you feel as though an individual is not grasping the skills required for a job, we encourage you to reach out to the Employment Specialist or Job Coach to have a conversation regarding your concerns. The Employment Specialist or Job Coach knows the client well and may be able to provide tips on overcoming your concerns, which could include working on skills with the client independently.
This honest and open communication is welcomed, as we want to support both your company and our client as best as possible so that the placement is successful. Additionally, MY PATH’s Employment Specialist or Job Coach typically reaches out to the employer after the individual has worked in the position for a few weeks. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts on how well the individual is performing in the position.
The MY PATH Process for Businesses further outlines the communication process for employers and our candidates.

A. First and foremost, instead of focusing on a disability that an individual may have, spend time exploring the skills and strengths that the employee is providing to your company.
An example of this would be to ask what an employee can do, not what s/he can't do. You may also train your staff on the sensitivity surrounding the description of an individual who is disabled.
For example, indicating that someone is handicapped, crippled, or wheelchair-bound could be seen by some as offensive or negative. Try to use “person-first” language instead. An example of this would be to reference “individuals with disabilities” rather than “disabled individuals.”

A. No, MY PATH consultants do not place a limit on the number of people they train at the same time. However, a smaller group size means there is more time for situational training customized to each manager's needs.

A. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder are two conditions that are covered under the umbrella of Neurodivergent conditions. MY PATH's consultants have earned special certification in managing ASD and ADHD.
However, many of the same techniques apply to different disabilities and diagnosis. Please reach out to MY PATH if you have a specific need to see if we can offer quality services to you. If we don’t currently have a specialization, we may be in the process of obtaining it.