Delivering Jobs: A New Initiative for Job Seekers with Disabilities

In partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation; Best Buddies, Special Olympics and Autism Speaks are launching Delivering Jobs, an initiative to help people with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities find jobs. By 2025, they aim to provide one million employment and leadership opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities, and/or developmental disabilities.

By activating consumers and communities, developing skills and preparing workers for the workplace, and building consumer awareness, Delivering Jobs is building a foundation for inclusive workplaces.

The initiative has already created some success stories such as Joshua, who had a fear of water, overcoming his challenge and becoming a life guard. They also helped Julie transition into a more fulfilling job as a Corporate Distribution Services Clerk at Silicon Valley Bank. Are hope is that they succeed in bringing more and more people with intellectual and developmental disabilities not just into the workforce, but into jobs that suit each candidate individually. 

How Does Delivering Jobs Work?

By offering workplace development resources and highlighting their progress, Delivering Jobs will encourage employers to hire individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Delivering Jobs provides resources to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental differences with the skills and tools to succeed in jobs and leadership roles.

In addition, Delivering Jobs conducts public outreach to facilitate advocacy for the inclusion of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and developmental differences.

Take the Pledge

“There is a need to do more, and for that, we ask you to join us in partnership—our goal is to highlight businesses that work to advance disability inclusion and inspire others to do the same.” 

– Delivering Jobs, Take the Pledge

All people, including those with intellectual disabilities and developmental difficulties, should be able to participate in every type of life, work, and community activities that foster growth and development for everyone. 

Take the Pledge is a 3-step hiring initiative asking employers to promise to make the changes needed to make their workplace inclusive. Here’s the pledge:

1. Re-Evaluate Hiring Practices

Identify ways in which your company can create opportunities for job seekers with autism, intellectual and/or developmental differences.

2. Increase Hiring Efforts

Ensure that people with autism, intellectual and/or developmental differences have access to a minimum of 1% of employment and leadership opportunities within your company.

3. Create Inclusive Support Systems

Ensure your company has the resources and tools to support long-term success of all employees.

Getting Started

The Delivering Jobs website has a range of great resources, including self-assessments  for employers and job seekers. If you’re not sure where to start, try out the self assessment tool to get the ball rolling. 

If you’re not sure how to make your workplace more inclusive, they have a checklist for that. Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) is another very helpful resource for employers.