CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) has launched a new career center for people with disabilities.
The new disability employment center, located at 2102 W. Ogden Ave., will help people with disabilities gain access to meaningful and long-term job opportunities and training.
Employers who hope to be more inclusive in their hiring and recruitment practices can also receive services from the MOPD Career Center.
Nationwide, in 2021, 19% of people with a disability were employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2021, 64% of people without disabilities were employed.
The report also showed that, in 2021, half of all people with disabilities were over the age of 65. The department said that’s nearly three times larger than the share for those with no disability.
During the same period, researchers said unemployment rates for those with a disability was higher than it was for those without a disability — regardless of a person’s education and across all age groups.
According to a press release from Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office, the MOPD Career Center will staff one program director, four career placement counselors, and one American Sign Language interpreter.
Services will be available via telephone, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, in-person meetings by appointment, and limited walk-in meetings.
In Chicago, the mayor's office said there are roughly 300,000 people with disabilities.
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