In October, disability advocates and allies across the U.S. celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, supported by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). DirectCourse and the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston are proud to participate in and honor employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

This October, the DOL has chosen the theme: Inclusion Drives Innovation. At DirectCourse and ICI, we recognize that a full array of choices and the practice of self-determination are vital drivers behind innovation and a productive workforce. That’s why we provide industry-leading training options for professionals who support people with disabilities and other challenges trying to find employment.

“National Disability Employment Awareness Month fits right in with our mission,” said Sheila Fesko, Program Director at the ICI and the Assistant Dean of the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development at UMass Boston, where the institute is housed.

“Workers with disabilities are out there seeking fulfilling careers,” Fesko explained. “Individuals with disabilities are trying different jobs, succeeding, failing, and succeeding again as they learn their strengths and weaknesses. The DOL has been leading states to create stronger support for people with disabilities to work in their communities, and DirectCourse educates the professionals who are out in the field, making that happen every day.”

The DirectCourse College of Employment Services (CES) curriculum pays off for agencies like yours. It’s training you can trust for your staff members, ensuring that they are confident and highly skilled in their roles. CES offers practical, research-based guidance for employment professionals as they help clients with disabilities to build and maintain meaningful careers.