Power of Possibility
The Workplace Technology Foundation has been established as a 501C(3) non-profit organization for the purpose of reversing the rate of unemployment for people with disabilities. The current rate of unemployment for this segment of our population is estimated to be in excess of 60%.
Janet Fiore, CEO, of The Sierra Group started the Foundation becuase she strongly believes that information is the key to empowerment. People and businesses can suceed when they have the information that they need to make a difference in their lives. As economic freedom is often tethered to employment, providing employers with information on available tools helps fulfill The Sierra Group's core mission. That's why Janet has pledged financial support for this project and the other Foundation activities listed below.
The Foundation works toward this mission by investing resources in three focused areas. They are:
- Making scholarships available for people with disabilities to obtain education to gain competitive employment skills.
- Supporting relevant research on accessible technology in the workplace and supporting high levels of professional standards and credentials.
- Publishing and presenting findings and information that support and further public and professional awareness on best practices.
Of the more than 11 Million people identified as both unemployed and having a severe disability, nearly 50% of them have an education that has not culminated in a high school diploma. In fact, nearly 40% of this total is educated at or below the 8th grade level.
A poorly educated population faces employment challenges regardless of disability.
The Journal of Rehabilitation (July/August/September 2002, volume 68, Number 9) addresses the need for accommodations during GED testing for adults with disabilities because research demonstrates that people with disabilities ages 15 to 20 fail to complete high school at twice the rate as those without disabilities (41 percent vs. 21 percent).
Education, competitive workplace skills, access to appropriate assistive technology, and comprehensive service coordination are the keys to open the door to the ....Power of Possibility.
We would like to receive your suggestions or comments. Please sign our guestbook.
In
the decade and a half since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed,
life has improved for many of this country’s 54 million disabled citizens.
But the landmark legislation can be seen as “both a tool and a sword.” That’s
the view of Janet Fiore, CEO of Sierra Group 
