October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  Bethel-based Ability Beyond has been awarded a $50,000 grant to help break employment barriers for people with disabilities.  PriceWaterCooperhouse Foundation funding will help Ability Beyond bridge the gap between jobseekers with disabilities and companies that are looking to hire. 

The organization will use the grant money to produce free webinars for each group to give them the skills and knowledge to meet each other’s needs. The webinars will be designed by Disability Solutions, a national disability employment initiative developed by Ability Beyond five years ago. 

The webinars for jobseekers with disabilities, including veterans, will prepare them for the workplace. Topics include resume and interview preparation, communication, and developing post-hiring skills and experience. The trainees will learn how to connect with participating employers through Disability Solutions’ Career Center that offers free jobseeker profiles and participation in an anonymous talent database. 

Webinars aimed at prospective employers and talent recruiters will improve their understanding of disability talent, hiring,