INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DirectEmployers Association, the leading nonprofit provider and OFCCP compliance solution and recruitment marketing tools, is continuing to bridge the gap between employers and the disability and veteran community through a national partnership with Easter Seals, a nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals with disabilities and veterans achieve their goals and gain meaningful employment. Through this partnership, DirectEmployers is also launching a job portal, http://www.EasterSeals.jobs, which will provide employment opportunities from DirectEmployers members to the Easter Seal's job seeker community.
"We are extremely excited to partner with DirectEmployers, an organization that understands the importance of diversifying the workforce," said Carol Salter, Easter Seals Assistant Vice President of Workforce Development. "Only 2 in 10 individuals with disabilities are in the labor force compared to 7 in 10 individuals without disabilities. We are working to change these disappointing statistics by providing veterans and individuals with disabilities exclusive access to employment opportunities with DirectEmployers roster of more than 800 businesses. These employers share our commitment to providing meaningful employment opportunities to qualified jobseekers of all abilities."
DirectEmployers will also collaborate with Easter Seals Dixon Center, Easter Seals' military and veteran sector, to connect veterans and military families with organizations that are seeking the positive attributes veterans bring to the workforce.
In March of 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) began enforcing its new requirements pertaining to the hiring and retention of veterans and individuals with disabilities. These new regulations require federal contractors to follow new hiring benchmarks of 7.2% for veterans, and new utilization goals of 7% for individuals with disabilities. By partnering, DirectEmployers and Easter Seals will help connect their members together, further encouraging disability and veteran hiring and outreach initiatives.
"With much of our membership falling into the federal contractor category, this partnership will be crucial in helping our members further reach individuals with disabilities and veterans who are actively seeking employment," commented Bill Warren, DirectEmployers Executive Director. "Not only will this partnership be beneficial from a hiring standpoint, our members will also have the opportunity to learn how veterans and individuals with disabilities benefit their workforce as a whole."
As a Member-owned and managed Association, DirectEmployers works on its member's behalf to ensure that each have access to organizations, like Easter Seals, that positively impact their hiring efforts, and aid in further expanding their candidate pipeline. Through this partnership, DirectEmployers will look at engaging members to actively reach out to their local Easter Seals chapters to develop working relationships that result in connecting them directly with individuals with disabilities and veterans looking for employment in the Easter Seals community.
About DirectEmployers Association
DirectEmployers is an employer-driven association focusing on talent acquisition and inclusion that utilizes its technology and thought leadership to amplify job visibility and employment brand, facilitate partnerships to meet EEO/AA goals and provide proof of job delivery.
About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 100 years, we have been offering help, hope, and answers to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their communities. For more information visit www.easterseals.com.
About Easter Seals Dixon Center
Easter Seals Dixon Center believes our veterans and military families can succeed where they live. Our mission is to ensure that's possible in every community. We work to break down barriers, drive a new conversation about the potential of our veterans, engage organizations and communities, and connect veterans and military families with what they need for meaningful employment, education and overall wellness.
Media Contact: Nancy Holland, Vice President of Marketing, DirectEmployers Association, (317) 874-9022, nancy@directemployers.org
Media Contact: Elsa Remak, Public Relations Coordinator, Easter Seals, (312)551-7154, eremak@easterseals.com
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