2004

Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor Visits Cincinnati Children's

Discussion on employment for people with disabilities

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

One of five Americans has at least one disability. For those of working age, 49 percent of women and 40 percent of men with disabilities are unemployed, according to W. Roy Grizzard, Jr., EdD, assistant secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in the U.S. Department of Labor.

On Wednesday, May 19, Dr. Grizzard visited Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to meet with corporate and community partners in Project SEARCH -- a program for individuals with significant barriers to employment. He learned more about Project SEARCH and discussed ODEP's role in advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

"In support of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, I believe that the individual worker with a disability should be afforded the right to choose what type of work to do, have technical assistance to perform essential functions of a job, and have the chance to advance and progress in work of choice," says Dr. Grizzard.

Project SEARCH provides employment and education opportunities for individuals with significant barriers to employment, such as people with disabilities, those on public assistance and the working poor. The program is dedicated to workforce development that benefits the individual, community and workplace. Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort among the Division of Disability Services at Cincinnati Children's, Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development and the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD.

The employment program through Project SEARCH serves as a single point of entry to coordinate employment initiatives between agencies and local organizations, including Cincinnati Children's, for adults with disabilities or other significant barriers. The program provides on-the-job support, such as job coaching, adaptations and accommodations, orientation, final task definitions and travel training. Project SEARCH also maintains employment status through on-site follow-along services and provides opportunities for career advancement.

"I like Project SEARCH because I can get different kinds of jobs through the program," says Jill Frambes, employee of Cincinnati Children's through Project SEARCH's employment program. "I work at the hospital with my co-workers and my friends. They treat me good and make me happy. They treat me like part of the team. I want to stay here for a long time."