Employment
Job Portal
Our job portal is for individuals with SCI/D who are in search of new opportunities! Job seekers will find open job postings along with fantastic resources, trainings, and options to connect with a career mentor. Those who are employed can join and mentor a job seeker who might be needing encouragement.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Webinar Series Archive
United Spinal is committed to empowering people with disabilities and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where people from all backgrounds are accepted, celebrated, and respected. In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) we offered the webinars below.
Career and Benefit Panel Discussion
With Josh Basile, esq Leonard Marbury, Diane Winiarski
Meet the Recruiter
With Briana O’Shaughnessy, Northwell Health, Talent Acquisition
Finding Employment Opportunities Through JobPath with James Fanous
With James Fanous
Resume and Interview Skills
With Stephanie Thompson, Guardian, Rehabilitation Specialist, Group Long Term Disability
About
United Spinal Association’s Pathways to Employment (PTE) Program is designed to support the pursuit of job opportunities for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). 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.
With Support From
Partner Employers:
CVS Health | Merck | T-Mobile | Excellus BlueCross BlueShield | American Airlines | Pratt & Whitney | NTI, Inc.
Job Seeker Resources
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
Webinars/Podcasts
opens in a new windowFuture of Work Webinar – Discovering Your Career Path After Disability
opens in a new windowPathways to Employment Podcast: Conversation with Chronically Capable
opens in a new windowPathways to Employment Podcast: Conversation with NTI
opens in a new windowPathways to Employment Podcast: Virtual Vocations
opens in a new windowPathways to Employment Podcast
opens in a new windowPathways to Employment Podcast (Part 2)
opens in a new windowPathways to Employment Podcast (Part 3)
Disability Employment Podcast
opens in a new windowThe Job Interview Webinar
opens in a new windowBenefits and Incentives for Working with SCI Webinar
opens in a new windowWorking with SCI Webinar
Resources
opens in a new windowBack to Work – Our Step by Step guide to returning to work with SCI/D
opens in a new windowInterview Tips for Job Seekersopens PDF file
opens in a new windowReasonable Accommodations: What Are They and How Do I Request Themopens PDF file
opens in a new windowFederal Resourcesopens PDF file
opens in a new windowResources for Resume Writing
Job Sources That Give Preference to People With Disabilities
opens in a new windowFinding a Job: Federal Government Employmentopens PDF file
opens in a new windowFinding a Job: Federal Contractor Employmentopens PDF file
opens in a new windowAt-Home Work Opportunities – Virtual Vocations
opens in a new windowAt-Home Work Opportunities – NTI
For more information contact:
Lesly St. Louis
Director of Employment & DEI Programs
Employment & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs
United Spinal Association
lstlouis@unitedspinal.orgcreate new email
Employer Resources
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
Resources
opens in a new windowInterview Tips for Employersopens PDF file
Disability Employment Podcast Episode
opens in a new windowFuture of Work #1 — Oct. 29, 2020 Video
opens in a new windowFuture of Work #2 — Mar. 30, 2021 Video
opens in a new windowFuture of Work #3 — Jun. 30, 2021 Video
opens in a new windowFuture of Work #4 – Sept. 30, 2021
If you are an employer interested in learning about training opportunities, please contact:
Abby Ross
aross@unitedspinal.orgcreate new email
Pathways to Employment Video Series
Fears of Returning to Work with a Disability
We address 3 different myths that a lot of people believe to be true about returning to work with a disability that are actually false.
Writing the Perfect Resume
Tips to write a resume that hiring authorities will want to read.
Positive Support for the Job Interview
Three different tips that will provide positive support for you during the job interview.
Job Interview Tips & Tricks
Tips and tricks to help you know what to do before, during, and after the interview to best prepare you for a positive experience.
How to Write a Functional Resume
How to write a good resume that will catch the eye of the person that is looking to hire.
How to Start a Job Search
We describe the importance of knowing about federal contractors to help you start seeking and finding jobs to apply for.
How to Write a Cover Letter
Step-by-step guidance on a what a general cover letter needs and how to write a good one.