Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein (center) and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley (right) talked about disability hiring with Jane Aldrich (left) of WLNS-TV during the MI Hidden Talent workshop in Flint last Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Mich. Governor’s Office
To provide Michiganders with disabilities increased opportunities for competitive integrated employment, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein last Tuesday held a statewide workshop in Flint, drawing more than 275 attendees from more than 100 organizations across the state.
The inaugural MI Hidden Talent workshop took Calley and Bernstein's statewide tour on disability hiring into the how-to phase.
"Too many individuals with disabilities are underemployed or unemployed in Michigan," Calley said. "We must work together to provide more resources to students and youth with disabilities transitioning from school to employment to ensure they are afforded the same job opportunities as their peers without disabilities."
The State of Michigan has been working to be a more inclusive employer itself since Gov. Snyder signed an executive directive in 2014.
As a continuation of those efforts, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the workshop to further increase the number of students and youth with disabilities transitioning from school to employment, as well as post-secondary education intended to lead to employment. The partners included the Michigan Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration, Workforce Development Agency, and Developmental Disabilities Council.
Calley and Bernstein spoke during the workshop, as well as keynote speakers Kathy Burris from CVS Health and Kathy West Evans from the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.
"Individuals with disabilities are valuable employees with much to offer Michigan businesses," Bernstein said. "By working with our partners and employers across the state, we can increase job opportunities which is a win-win for everyone."
The workshop provided employers the opportunity to learn from businesses already hiring individuals with disabilities, learn about available resources as well as strategies for accommodations and inclusion in the workplace.
For additional information about the event and the effort, visit www.mihiddentalent.com.
Published: Mon, Jun 27, 2016
