Searching for a job? Find Answers about Disability Employment

Easter Seals is hosting a Facebook chat in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. “Launching your Career: An Honest Chat about Navigating the Workforce with Disabilities” will take place Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. (EST), 1 p.m. (CST), at Facebook.com/easterseals.  

Resumes, interviews and the first day of work can be daunting for anyone, but can become particularly complicated when an individual has a disability. This Facebook chat will discuss the difficulties that arise when young people with disabilities begin to enter the workforce, and address these issues with a team of panelists who are prepared to offer wisdom, advice and their personal experiences about the job hunt and their first days on the job. 

The panelists selected by Easter Seals include: 

• Sara Fair, a college senior who interned with Easter Seals over the summer and is starting to job-search
• Ben Trockman, a college graduate who interned with Easter Seals over the summer and started a job this fall
• Colleen Flanagan, a working professional with disabilities who has been through it all and now mentors others as a leader of the youth program at Easter Seals Massachusetts

The chat will cover important topics relevant to the job search networking, resume building, interview practice etc. and is also open to questions from the audience. 

“Starting a new job can be hard for anyone and everyone, but things are totally different as a person with a disability,” says panelist Ben Trockman. “I now realize all of the important elements that go into gaining employment, working with the proper agencies to keep health insurance, Social Security, etc., and the parameters of payment. This is a complicated process, but I want to make it easier for others to understand – that is why we are here!”

As a long-term provider of Workforce Development services, Easter Seals is committed to helping individuals with disabilities find jobs.  Each year, Easter Seals assists 35,000 people with disabilities and other special needs overcome employment barriers. By identifying goals, objectives and planning needs, Easter Seals is able to take an individualized approach and provide a variety of services and support so individuals can achieve and maintain employment. This Facebook chat is just one of the ways Easter Seals is reaching out to individuals with disabilities looking for employment. 

About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 100 years, they have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com.