Employers have two options to find qualified and supported job seekers:

1. Post a job or internship in the Triangle Inclusive Careers portal free of charge, job seekers will then apply directly to the employer
2. An employer may search the portal for candidates for open positions. They will see resumes that list individuals’ skills and background but not their names and contact information.

When an employer is interested in a particular candidate, they will register and agree to the Terms and Conditions of using the portal. The Power of the Dream will verify the employer and then reveal the job seeker’s contact information.

Any employer in the NC Triangle area, willing to employ a person with Autism/IDD is urged to enter the portal and use the resource section free of charge. The Power of the Dream would be happy to talk with any employer (recruiter, HR professional, business owner, diversity officer) to further discuss employment of a person with Autism/IDD and to answer questions that are not covered in the resource section.

All job seekers who wish to participate in the program first take a soft skills assessment. This statistically validated video-based assessment is designed to measure the basic soft skills that most employers look for when hiring. A sample assessment video can be viewed here.

Those individuals with less than 12 months verifiable employment or those who score a 5 out of 10 or below on the skills assessment are required to take a 96-hour Job Readiness Course through Wake Technical Community College. Class modules include self management, communicating, interviewing, financial literacy, and basic computer skills. Those who score a 6 or higher and have a year of employment may request a waiver to the course.

The portal and resources are free of charge to employers.

For some companies, it is a certain skill set (pattern recognition, hyper focus, technical skills, etc.). For others, it is an opportunity to cover a portion of another employee’s job description which only requires a couple of hours a week with a person who enjoys repetitive tasks, freeing the full-time employee up to focus on their core competency area. Others are drawn to social skills and customer service focus that bring value to a business’s interface with customers.

Tax incentives and other government support can help with the decision to hire a person with a disability. Many individuals with Autism/IDD receive government assistance and Medicare/Medicaid. They are often interested in part-time positions to not exceed income levels for disability support payments. Others are very motivated to move on to a steady income replacing dependence on the government with self-sufficiency. There really is no one-size-fits- all in the disability world and employers can use that diversity to benefit their business in the best possible way.

The Power of the Dream has conducted a workplace-related needs assessment for each job seeker. This assessment will provide information to employers regarding accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the job seeker might be looking for, or challenges that may have to be considered during training and orientation of the employee.

Employers can learn about alternative interview techniques in the resource section of the portal. Many job seekers with autism/IDD have challenges answering open-ended questions and providing the expected social cues like firm handshakes or eye contact. Changing the application or interview process to meet the needs of a person with Autism/IDD is an accommodation under the ADA and not preferential treatment.

Employers can arrange for interviews and make job offers without interacting with The Power of the Dream; however, we remain available for questions and support throughout the process.

Yes! Without registering, employers can also review coded resumes of job seekers who have either a verifiable work history, and/or have been thoroughly prepared for the job market as participants in The Power of the Dream’s “Triangle Inclusive Careers” program. Once an employer wants to contact an individual job seeker, the portal will require registration (free of charge), verification by The Power of the Dream, and agreement to the Terms and Conditions of using the portal.

The employer can contact The Power of the Dream at any time to ask questions regarding the process, resources, or candidates. Before entering the portal, each participant will meet with Triangle Inclusive Careers to discuss their specific employment support needs. Based on their needs, which could include transportation, clothing, job coaching, etc., Triangle Inclusive Careers will attempt to refer participants to partnering organizations who can provide these resources. Triangle Inclusive Careers is not responsible for securing employment resources for program participants and does not guarantee that participants will receive all the employment supports requested during the needs assessment.

Making some adaptations to the hiring, onboarding and training process can help ensure success for employees with A/IDD and their organizations. Simply understanding social skills challenges can make the interview process more successful (understanding that the candidate may be uncomfortable with eye contact, for example). Partnering with a community organization to conduct a needs assessment can ensure that all of the employee’s needs are met under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Some individuals are eligible for job coaches and support staff through Medicaid vouchers or Vocational Rehabilitation. These services are offered at no charge to eligible employees with a disability and employers should take full advantage of any kind of support available to allow for long-term success of their employee.