SEPTEMBER 2021
PAGE 6
JDS – Working Toward Workplace Accessibility for All Did you know, only about 18 percent of adults with disabilities are employed? Although
this
is
and
everyone face difficulties in their lives?
unsettling, statistics like these make it
People with special needs are just
apparent that there is still a stigma that
impacted uniquely and are affected by
surrounds hiring someone who isn’t
personal
neurotypical.
people
and
environmental
with
challenges. These barriers can cause
disabilities and those on the autism
them to have issues completing
spectrum have a hard time obtaining
something without the proper guidance
competitive employment opportunities
or support. However, what is often
and an even harder time finding a
forgotten is that their abilities can offer
career to match their interests and
a great deal of success in the
goals. Oftentimes, the jobs offered to
workplace. For example, those on the
this population do not include high-
spectrum can memorize information
demand
quickly, think and learn visually, express
or
Sadly,
harsh
high-growth
career
opportunities. Instead, it is janitorial or
exceptional
just something to punch the clock i.e.,
reliability. In addition, they have a very
busy work.
strong adherence to rules and routines.
Autism and learning disabilities are generally
associated
with
honesty,
loyalty
and
Just like employees, employers
atypical
just need to be better equipped with
language and communication, social
training solutions. Doing so can simply
interaction, motor coordination and sensory processing issues. Yes, these are
accommodate a neurodiverse community within the workplace. There has been
some of the struggles those with special needs can experience, but doesn’t
a small shift in workforce development due to training programs and the fact that massive businesses such as Google are hiring individuals with special needs. More employers are realizing this population's diverse talents that in turn make them extremely valuable candidates. JDS Creative Academy, a nonprofit located in Temecula, CA is a neurodiverse workplace and truly values differences. The organization works hard to be a safe place for those with special needs to learn, grow and build the skills required to have a career in video production. Instead of focusing on disabilities, JDSCA highlights abilities and passions. JDS Creative Academy’s job-training program is reaching for new heights. Beyond providing participants the skills necessary to obtain a career in video production, JDSCA is stepping into paid internships in hopes to also provide a workable career pathway. The idea behind this is simple: place job-training participants in internships in the community that align with JDSCA’s program curriculum, whether that be social media and video production work, or marketing and corporate storytelling. While participating in the internship, each participant will have a 1-1 supportive coach to be with them to help make the transition from the training environment to the work environment. Currently, the organization is in their early stages of identifying the community business partners and is excited about the opportunities ahead. You might be surprised to hear that it doesn’t take much to ensure your workplace is dedicated to accessibility for all. There are some amazing resources such as the National Disability Institute which provides assistance to the public workforce to achieve equal opportunities for all. The first step can be as simple as considering a partnership with an organization like JDS Creative Academy. You can think of this opportunity as a reciprocal relationship. Our special needs job-training participants get to work as valued employees and you gain an amazing candidate to help bring your business to the next level, with no payroll cost to your bottom line. “Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle,” - Charles Glassman.
