A diverse workforce can include adults with disabilities, who may require specialized job training. Not all disabilities are visible to the naked eye and it’s important to be sensitive and mindful of everyone’s differences in the workforce and professional settings. About one-fifth of all Americans suffer from some form of disability and they are an invaluable part of the workplace. The Simmons Advantage recognizes that and can help your company implement the framework needed to support employees with disabilities. Supporting adults with disabilities through training unlocks a potential source of talent for organizations and businesses.

Preparing for employment

Because no two differently-abled adults are the same, preparing them for employment should also take a personalized approach. From intensive individualized training to résumé building and letters to employers, there are many aspects to getting ready to find a job. Part of preparing for employment is also identifying the transferable and practical skills of the individual and identification of realistic and achievable employment.

Job interview preparation

If an interview is part of the hiring process, honing those interview skills is crucial when it comes to job training for adults with learning disabilities. Effective interview skills help get job offers and level-appropriate training and mock interviews help job seekers get there. Mock interviews are a collaborative process and provide useful, targeted questions, and practice steps.

Workplace communication

Communicating with colleagues is arguably one of the most important parts of any job. Adults with learning disabilities may greatly benefit from additional training in workplace communication that is appropriately targeted to their learning levels. From gaining self-confidence to understanding how to assess and react to workplace situations, communication is important to integrating adults with learning disabilities into the workplace.

Workplace behavior

Adults with learning disabilities may have a different way of understanding workplace behavior and how to act in professional settings. It is important to build a workplace environment that promotes health and safety as well as psychological wellbeing to increase the effectiveness of your organization. Healthy employee practices and behaviors mean a thriving and healthy workplace for all.

Self-advocacy

While organizations, case-workers, and other support team members can and should advocate for adults with learning disabilities. But they should also be taught to self-advocate. Access to knowledge and resources that they need to confidently and competently self-advocate, promoting effective communication are also great tools for self-advocacy.

Finding employment

Determining the specific employment needs, skills, and capabilities of adults with learning disabilities will help with placement in appropriate positions. Finding clarity on all possible career interests and skills will broaden the opportunities available and make finding a job an easier and smoother process.

DEI Training

While job training for adults with disabilities is important for the individuals who are seeking employment, there is also valuable training available to organizations and businesses that may hire adults with learning disabilities. Diversity and inclusion training foster diversity through education and teaching employees to ​​embrace the many ways we differ from each other. Wondering how to include disability rights training with your DEI training? Find out here.

How The Simmons Advantage can help

We can help you unlock your team’s abilities so they can reach their potential at work. We work with organizations across all industry sectors by providing training on how to make DEI training part of the core of your business. There are many benefits to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. From making everyone feel involved, valued, respected, treated fairly, and embedded in your culture to increased employee engagement and trust, it should be part of any business plan. Interested in learning more? Reach out to us here to get your organization or business ready to work with adults with learning disabilities.