Removing barriers: These initiatives are helping people with disabilities get jobs.

BOSTON – New Bedford-area agencies say there are a variety of programs and services available to remove obstacles for people with disabilities, efforts that would strengthen the U.S. job market, according to a 2022 Center for American Progress report.

The report says people with disabilities are "less likely to be employed and more likely to work fewer hours, earn lower incomes, and accumulate less wealth than their counterparts without at least one disability."

The Legislature’s Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities found in 2020 that employers who hire people with disabilities have a competitive advantage resulting in "higher employee retention rates, reduced personnel/HR expenses, and stronger customer/brand loyalty." They also found that this talent pool brings "a diverse perspective to the workplace that can lead to innovation and help the company's bottom line."

The state Disability Employment Subcommittee under the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met recently to identify barriers and discuss what initiatives could increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Massachusetts.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found in July 2021 that unemployed people with disabilities reported their own disability, lack of education, lack of transportation and lack of special features at the job as the largest barriers to employment.

Fear of losing benefits a barrier to working

The subcommittee also identified fear of losing government benefits as a significant barrier to employment.

For those in the Social Security Disability Insurance program, the Social Security Administration has a nine-month trial work period. During this period, there are no limits to the person's earnings, and they can end the trial with no consequences to the benefits.

During the trial period, "you can make a million dollars a month, you will get a check," says SSA Boston Region Public Affairs Specialist Chris Wilkens.

If the person in the SSDI program continues working, they enter their three-year Extended Period of Eligibility. During this period, starting in 2023, the person must make no more than $1,470 a month, or else they are not due a check. However, if they decide to stop working, they can begin to receive benefits again. After those three years, if the person continues to work and earns more than $1470 a month, they will stop receiving their benefits.

MassHire Greater New Bedford training

"HR professionals would love to have someone that has a disability," says CEO of MassHire Greater New Bedford Jim Oliveira. "People with disabilities have abilities … You're just as capable as anybody else."

MassHire Greater New Bedford offers on-the-job training opportunities, occupational skills training, GED, adult basic education and educational remediation programs. Oliveira says when they receive clients with disabilities, "we're prepared to meet those challenges." They partner with several public organizations to help people with disabilities navigate their benefits, find work, accommodations and other resources.

Oliveira says they served 250 people who self-identified as having disabilities and around 40 found new jobs “ranging from warehouse associates to I.T. engineers.” Overall, the hire rate for people with disabilities is the same as the general population with MassHire New Bedford.

Pam Cole, a member of the New Bedford City Commission for Citizens With Disabilities, says assistive technology makes employment possible for people with certain disabilities. Easterseals Massachusetts partners with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Technology Division to provide this technology. MassMatch also offers AT options for people who need them for employment.

The state also offers vocational rehabilitation training for those with "physical, cognitive, intellectual or mental health conditions" to help them choose and train for potential employment opportunities.

The Southeast Center for Independent Living Inc. has a list of local services to help those with disabilities in the Southcoast region find employment.

Oliveira's advice to people with disabilities considering work is, "if you don't try, you don't know if you can do it."

Wilkins advises calling your local SSA office with any questions to see how employment could affect your specific benefits.

Here is a list of more local services provided by SECIL and recommended by Cole. Southeast Career Centers: Bristol Workforce Investment Board, Fall River Commission on Disability, New Bedford Community Services, United Way of Greater Fall River, Coastline Bristol Elder Services, Family Service Association Child and Family Services

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Disabled workers have options to find employment in New Bedford