Project Overview

The goal of the MCB Disability as a Qualification for Employment (DQE) project was to develop a Business Case for Individuals with Disabilities, which will answer the question:

How can individuals leverage their disability to help them stand out in the labor market and secure and succeed in employment?

This business case will bring to light the many reasons employers want to include people with disabilities in their workplaces and tell the story of how individuals who are successfully working have leveraged their disability to contribute to their employers and advance their careers. It will help educate and inform individuals with disabilities of the following:

• why employers value them
• that their voices and life experiences are essential in any workplace

This business case will also replace the traditionally detrimental stigma that surrounds individuals with disabilities with a persuasive argument for Disability as a Qualification for Employment.

Work Without Limits conducted focus groups and interviews with disability-inclusive employers and successfully employed individuals with disabilities, combined these unique perspectives and provided information to MCB that will educate and inform job seeking candidates with disabilities of the value they bring to the workplace.  Below are the key facts of this project:

Benefits of Participating in a Focus Group or Interview

• Provide a rich understanding of the opinions and beliefs of employers and employees with disabilities
• Educate, inform and empower vocational rehabilitation professionals and job seeking candidates with disabilities for years to come

Project Outputs

• A resource that educates, informs and empowers job seeking candidates with disabilities of the value they bring to the workplace
• Estimated to be available in October 2020

Data Collection and Engagement Modes

• Focus groups and interviews conducted virtually via Zoom and/or by phone
• Outreach by Work Without Limits and MCB staff and providers

Work Without Limits partnered with the Polus Center on the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) Employment Now Initiative (ENI)

Employers attended a robust, 1-hour networking and practice webinar and met 4 Employment Now Initiative (ENI) candidates.

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) Commissioner, David D’Arcangelo spoke about the benefits associated with employing individuals with visual impairments.

Candidates “practiced their pitch” and employers asked follow up and interview-like questions.

22 employers attended, representing 13 organizations!

Employers: If you are interested in forming a relationship with the Polus Center and the ENI for future cycles of candidates, connect directly with Jen Whitmore at jen_whitmore@meei.harvard.edu.

Participating Organizations and Employers:

AllWays Health Partners, Bay Cove, Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston University, Citizens Bank, CVS Health, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston,  Harvard University, Public Consulting Group

Learn more about the Polus Center and ENI.

There is an enormous untapped talent pool of job seekers in Massachusetts. They happen to have disabilities. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities in MA is 2x higher than it is for those without disabilities.* The unemployment rate specifically for people with visual impairments is even higher.

For that reason...

The MCB Employer Challenge will ask employers to Do One More Thing to reduce stigma and increase employment for people with visual impairments.