Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities

inclusion. integration. independence.

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Bridging the Employment Gap

In Arkansas, people with disabilities are under-employed compared to those without disabilities. Multiple factors make it challenging for Arkansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to and can work find sustainable employment. One of these may be employer hesitancy to practice inclusive hiring.

The Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is seeking input from employers on why they do, or don’t, actively practice inclusive and equitable employment of those with developmental disabilities. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2021, GCDD launched a statewide survey for employers of all company sizes. This survey will run through the end of December 2021, so you still have time to give us your input. Our work to promote disability employment goes on all year long. The feedback we receive will help us to craft resources to support employers and begin bridging the disability employment gap in Arkansas.

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If you would like our Executive Director, Jon Taylor, to come speak to your civic organization, association, business, leadership team, hiring managers or general staff, please contact him at [email protected] or call 501-682-2912. Before joining the Council staff, Jon was a retail manager with extensive on-the-job experience in inclusive hiring, leading managers and human resource personnel, and supporting individuals with disabilities to gain employment and remain employed. Jon has real-world, usable tips and tools to share with you and your team! 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2021

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM), an initiative observed in Arkansas and across the United States. 

OCTOBER 27, 2021 NDEAM 2021 GCDD Webinar – Understanding Drives Inclusion
GCDD held a virtual workshop on how to be successful with the inclusive and equitable employment of people with developmental disabilities and why it is important to employers, employees and the wider community. The event fostered real discussions between employers/supervisors and their disabled employees. The goal was to provide usable tips and tools for employers & employees and address potential hesitancy of employers to try inclusive hiring.

The webinar recording has been posted to the GCDD Arkansas YouTube channel. View the recording here: https://youtu.be/HDNs7Xa79o4

OCTOBER 7, 2021 Arkansas NDEAM Kickoff Event
The GCDD held an NDEAM 2021 kickoff event on October 7th, along with our partner Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. We will also hosted a workshop, Understanding Drives Inclusion, on Wednesday, October 27th. 

News Release 10-07-2021

GCDD NDEAM 2021 and Employer Survey Kickoff Event – GCDD staff, members and partners gathered as Governor Hutchinson’s proclamation of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month was read aloud by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Commissioner Baxter.
WHEN:    Thursday, October 7, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:  501 Woodlane Dr. Suite 600, Little Rock, AR 72201

To commemorate National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, we challenged:

GCDD and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month each October. View Governor Hutchinson’s proclamation here.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is an annual, month-long event which celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. NDEAM also celebrates employers who practice inclusive hiring.

At the national level, the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy’s campaign theme is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.” You can visit ODEP’s NDEAM website here to learn more or  see the Presidential Proclamation here.

Be sure to visit our Competitive Integrated Employment resource page. There you will find more info and links including our Employer Benefits Infographic.