What would Employment First initiatives ACTUALLY do for SC?

Employment First is the preferred option for individuals with disabilities receiving assistance from publicly funded systems. Simply put, Employment First changes the framework that is currently limiting individuals with disabilities from working in the community and receiving fair wages. 

With Employment First, people with disabilities are provided more opportunities to work in the general workforce, side-by-side with people without disabilities, and contribute to the economy. Working in the community allows people with disabilities to earn regular wages — read our subminimum wage blog to learn more about what these individuals are currently earning — and receive benefits.

Research has shown a 42.2% gap between those with disabilities in South Carolina compared to those without. The low employment rate of people with disabilities is widely recognized as a societal issue, and the Employment First Initiative is working to correct it. Focusing our public resources on Employment First and providing the necessary resources for job seekers with disabilities will help close this gap.

Learn more about what Hire Me SC is doing in South Carolina at https://www.hiremesc.org/ about and read about national Employment First principles.