Pathways to Employment
United Spinal Association’s Pathways to Employment (PTE) Program is designed to support the pursuit of job opportunities for all wheelchair users. PTE provides access to resources for people who want to return to work, including information about benefits, transitioning to employment, how-to guides, and guidance on removing barriers to employment and access to mentors who have successfully returned to work after injury or diagnosis. The Pathways to Employment program also supports employers interested in ensuring that people with disabilities are represented in their workforce by providing guidance and resources in recruitment, onboarding and accommodations through trainings and distributing job opportunities to our national network of members and 50 chapters.
Sign up for our Pathways to Employment newsletter for the latest information on returning to work and receive notifications of our employment-related online events.
With Support From
Employment Work Readiness & Education Program
The Pathways to Employment Program is excited to introduce our cutting-edge Employment Work Readiness & Education Program! This program will lead you through the pivotal stages required for optimizing your job hunt, such as crafting a compelling resume, preparing for interviews, navigating benefits, and leveraging technology to evaluate your employment success. Throughout your tenure in the Work Readiness program, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your network and connect with individuals who have similar life experiences and professionals to partner with you during your journey!
How-To Videos
Watch our short how-to videos below for helpful information, tips and advice on returning to work with a disability.
Intro to Pathways to Employment
Fears of Returning to Work with a Disability
Writing the Perfect Resume
Positive Support for the Job Interview
Job Interview Tips & Tricks
How to Write a Functional Resume
How to Start a Job Search
How to Write a Cover Letter
Employment Webinar Video Archive
Resources
Interview Tips for Employers
Back to Work – Our Step by Step guide to returning to work with SCI/D
Interview Tips for Job Seekers
Reasonable Accommodations: What Are They and How Do I Request Them
Federal Resources
Resources for Resume Writing
Job Sources That Give Preference to People With Disabilities
Finding a Job: Federal Government Employment
Finding a Job: Federal Contractor Employment
At-Home Work Opportunities – Virtual Vocations
At-Home Work Opportunities – NTI
Employment Podcasts
Wheelchair Lifestyle Podcast
United on Wheels – Episode 47
In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we are joined by a very special guest, United Spinal board member and trial attorney Josh Basile. In 2004, Basile’s life was literally flipped upside down. While on a family vacation in Delaware, he was slammed headfirst into the ocean floor by a wave. His paralysis rendered him a C4-5 quadriplegic but it did not stop him from finding his voice and wheeling after his goals. Basile’s positive attitude and desire to help others motivated him to form the Determined2heal Foundation. For over 10 years, he has fought to simplify the difficult transition into life with paralysis for the newly injured. He went on to create the world’s largest paralysis video mentoring network — SPINALpedia.com. Basile’s paralysis limited what he could do physically but mentally the sky was the limit.
Learn more about United Spinal’s Pathways to Employment program.
Additional Information
For Job Seekers
If you are a person living with SCI/D who would like to return to work, we can help you! After SCI/D there is so much to think about. Everyone wants to participate in their lives as much as they can and regain their independence. But some of the challenges of living with SCI/D can seem insurmountable. This includes returning to work.
The Pathways to Employment program will give you the opportunity to:
- Interact with someone who has successfully adjusted to working with a disability
- Gain practical information on resources, benefits, and work incentive programs
- Develop an employment plan
- Prepare for job interviews
- Learn self-advocacy skills
- Acquire reasonable accommodations
For more information contact:
Lesly St. Louis
Director of Employment & DEI Programs
Employment & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs
United Spinal Association
lstlouis@unitedspinal.org
For Employers
Many companies are realizing that while hiring people with disabilities is a socially responsible policy it makes great business sense as well. While every individual is unique, many people with disabilities have developed skills and characteristics that are extremely valuable to employers. Having the tenacity to endure a completely life changing condition, acclimate to a new way of operating in the world, the persistence to overcome obstacles, the ingenuity and troubleshooting skills to navigate challenges are a few of the qualities that people with disabilities can bring to a workplace. In addition, many individuals with spinal cord injury/disease have successfully learned to handle complex insurance, medical or other benefit systems adhering to detailed reporting requirements and policies. Those who need personal care attendants to assist with activities of daily life essentially demonstrate the skills necessary to run a small business – hiring, personnel management, delegation, task management, and conflict resolution.
United Spinal’s Pathways to Employment program is here to help with training, resources and connections to qualified individuals ready to work.
Training
The Pathways to Employment program offers a training presentation and curriculum designed for hiring managers, recruiters, human resources and executive leadership that provides guidance and resources related to the recruitment and onboarding processes to ensure staff is aware of legal considerations, helpful information on interacting with people with disabilities, tips for successful interviews and accommodation request assistance.
In-person or virtual trainings available.
Session time is 2 hours. Additional elements can be added to expand curriculum if your company is looking for a more intense, interactive session.
Expected Outcomes
- Identify potential barriers in current recruitment and onboarding processes
- Describe practical elements of successful interviews with people with disabilities
- Discuss approaches to accommodation requests
If you are an employer interested in learning about training opportunities, please contact:
Abby Ross
aross@unitedspinal.org
Employment Blogs
Microsoft’s Ability Summit inspires breakthroughs in accessible tech
How Rhonel Found the Courage to Seek Employment Post-Injury
Employment opportunities are a ‘key to freedom’ for wheelchair users
It’s important to assess your capabilities to get the right job
Wheelchair user shares employment success story with Walmart
Sponsors:
CVS Health | Merck | T-Mobile | Excellus BlueCross BlueShield | American Airlines | Pratt & Whitney | NTI, Inc.