Enable America Expands Programs in 2014 to Better Serve Individuals with Disabilities

Washington, DC, December 24, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The addition and growth of programs and services from Enable America, the nation’s first non-profit organization solely committed to improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, are setting the stage for even greater accomplishments in the new year.

Included in 2014’s success is the expansion of the organization’s Job Seeker Workshops, the launch of a new online jobs board, and increased commitment through partnerships to support wounded warriors in transition.

Job Seeker Workshops Expand

“We see continued demand for our VetConnect Job Seeker Workshops, and are proud of our expansion this year to serve the military from Camp Lejeune and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, growing that program from its successful launch one year earlier at Ft. Bragg,” said Richard Salem, Enable America’s chairman and founder. “This is a proven program increasingly in need as more and more of our service veterans look for work in the civilian sector.”

The program’s success can be found in the results of post-workshop surveys. Through the past two years participants have given Enable America’s Job Seeker Workshops extraordinary reviews. Results as of December 2014 show 76% of those surveyed were very satisfied with the program, and 54% say it was significantly better than other programs they attended.

Comments from this year’s participants include:

“This was a great class that was really insightful. This will most certainly help me in all my future endeavors.”
“Outstanding presentations from HR people.”
“Excellent workshop!”
“This was the best workshop in the whole of ACAP (Army Career and Alumni Program).”

VetConnect Job Seeker Workshops in North Carolina are made possible through financial support from the Duke Energy Foundation. Plans are underway to schedule three additional workshops in the first quarter of 2015.

Online Jobs Board Begins:

To better serve individuals with disabilities nationwide Enable America launched an interactive jobs board in 2014, EnableAmerica.jobs. Each day an average of 1.5 million career opportunities are posted from employers committed to diversity in the workplace, including Enable America’s Corporate Employment Partners such as Eaton Corporation, Lenovo, Duke Energy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, VASTEC and Northwestern Mutual.

This online employment search tool is designed to serve the more than 56 million Americans with life altering disabilities, while also providing a new outlet for employers committed to building diversity in their workplace.

“On March OFCCP (U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs) implemented the Final Rule requirements designed to increase employment of individuals with disabilities, and we have noticed many employers taking significant action to understand and abide by the regulations,” said Chris Jadick, Enable America’s Executive Director. “EnableAmerica.jobs is an important tool to help increase outreach and better meet OFCCP compliance needs by increasing workplace diversity.”

Support For Wounded Warriors Grows:

For the third consecutive year Enable America helped support wounded warriors through partnership with EDM America’s 4USTroops Charity Golf Tournament.

“Service members and their families deserve our support, especially those injured as a result of their service,” said Arun Singh, VP of Global Operations and COO of EDM Americas. “Once again we’re proud to play our part through this charity tournament, thanks to partners like Enable America who help make it possible.”

Most of the proceeds from the event go to North Carolina veterans who have been injured during military service. In 2014, for the first time in the event’s three-year history, four veterans were honored with donation checks to help in their transition from the military to civilian life. They are SSG Oliver Hughes, US Army; LCPL Nathan Jakubisin, USMC; SPC William Stewart, US Army; and SSG Carlton Duncan, US Army.

“Each of the military members we honored at the tournament are to be commended for their service, and remembered for their sacrifice,” said Chet Culver, Enable America board member and former governor of Iowa. The 2015 EDM Americas 4USTroops tournament will be held June 1 at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, NC.

Career Mentoring Days and Otger Programs:

In addition to its expanding programs Enable America continues to provide core programs including Career Mentoring Days, Community Connections Meetings, and Business to Business Meetings.

“Regardless of the program, what Enable America has always done is build bridges between employers and a talented but underutilized workforce,” Salem said. “With the 25th Anniversary of the ADA approaching this year we can look back at great accomplishment, with better understanding of the work that remains. Enable America’s commitment remains as strong as ever.”

Individuals with disabilities can find more information on Enable America programs and a link to the jobs board at EnableAmerica.org. Companies can learn more on Enable America’s Employment Partner program online as well, and can contact Executive Director Chris Jadick at Chris.Jadick@EnableAmerica.org for additional information.