Developmentally disabled hit hard with pandemic job losses – Roanoke Times

Weve shifted what theyre interested in, qualified for, he said. Its picking up. As businesses continue to look for staff I think were going to be in a good position to help those folks.

Statistically, people with developmental disabilities have had a tougher time finding employment. Prior to the pandemic in Michigan, 81% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were unemployed, compared to 9% of individuals without disabilities, according to statistics released by Michigan Developmental Disabilities Network in 2014.

Developmental disabilities include autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and learning disorders.

Concerns about training and employment for individuals with developmental disabilities amid the pandemic exist across the country, said Donna Meltzer, CEO of the nonprofit National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.

One fear is that with millions of Americans out of work due to the pandemic, people with disabilities may be the last group of people to find jobs, she said.

It may take years for our employment infrastructure to rebound, she said. Jobs will be scarce and many who had jobs may find that job is no longer open to them. Education that leads to work is also greatly impacted and a cohort of students who were moving forward from school to work or on to higher ed may lose those opportunities permanently. Until there is a vaccine, many will not feel safe navigating the community and choose instead to stay home our challenge is to find ways to balance safety, health and community.

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Developmentally disabled hit hard with pandemic job losses - Roanoke Times