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The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.

What can YOU do?

YOU can support the Campaign for Disability Employment’s “What can YOU do?” initiative and play an important role in improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

“What can YOU do?” is a positive outreach initiative aimed at increasing the employment rate of people with disabilities by challenging common misperceptions. It sends a clear message: people with disabilities want to work and their talents and abilities benefit businesses both financially and organizationally. By implementing good workplace practices, such as maintaining a flexible and inclusive work environment, businesses can capitalize on the talents of qualified people with disabilities. All it takes is recognizing the value they add to the workplace and fostering a work culture welcoming of the talents of all individuals. We encourage organizations of all sizes and in all industries to join our effort.

Four Things YOU Can Do

There are many ways to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities and show your support for the “What can YOU do?” initiative. Here are four things you can do now:

1. Hire, Retain and Advance People with Disabilities. Businesses that are inclusive of people with disabilities – in hiring, retention and advancement – benefit from a wider pool of talent, skills, and creative business solutions. Additionally, fostering a work environment that is flexible and open to the talents of all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities, actually promotes workplace success for everyone.

2. Be a Mentor. Be a mentor by inspiring youth with disabilities to achieve their career aspirations. It is important that each individual is valued for his or her skills and talents, and that youth with disabilities are supported and encouraged to dream big when it comes to developing career goals. Today’s youth will be tomorrow’s leaders. And if you are a youth with a disability, tell us what you WILL do!

3. Share the “CAN-Do” Spirit. Help us by telling others about the CDE and the “What can YOU do?” initiative. We encourage you to use our public service announcements, accompanying discussion guides, posters and other materials, all included in the CDE’s online CDE Toolkits, to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities in your business and community. Learn how our supporters are using the CDE’s tools to share the “CAN-Do” spirit!

4. Link to Us. Link to the CDE on your Web site to show your support for the “What can YOU do?” initiative and provide your visitors with easy access to disability employment information and resources. Various link options are available, including a badge to proudly display your organization’s support for the CDE.