HeartShare Human Services Partners with Goldman Sachs, Publicis Media, The FAR Fund & The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation To Help People with Disabilities Find Jobs

NEW YORK, Oct. 01, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HeartShare Human Services announces the inaugural AI360° Ability and Inclusion Summit to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find meaningful employment in competitive roles that are commensurate with their experience. The two-day event on November 1-2 will include keynote speakers, panel discussions and spotlights on successful models of inclusion. The event will culminate with a hot jobs forum featuring dozens of leading companies targeting the neurodiverse community to expand their talent pipeline.

Even with existing government initiatives and incentives to support the hiring of people with developmental disabilities, the rate of unemployment and underemployment for those on the spectrum remains a staggeringly high 90%. Unfortunately, recruiters and hiring managers often have not received the training to recognize the strengths of individuals with developmental disabilities in the workplace. Through the summit, HeartShare will build a community of nonprofits, universities and corporations to share best practices on inclusive hiring and connect qualified candidates with open positions.

The summit will culminate in an exciting "Shark Tank" style pitch competition where startups and nonprofits will share their innovative ideas to support the hiring of individuals with developmental disabilities to renowned judges from network partners. Participating non-partisan judges will each select a winning idea that will receive a year-long support program, including professional consulting, communications expertise or funding.

"Many talented and hardworking individuals with disabilities are underrepresented in the workplace. Individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities represent a rising workforce, but employers are unable to tap into this pipeline of talent. AI360° strives to bridge that gap," said Meredith Beck, HeartShare Vice President of Development, spearheading the AI360° initiative.

The pitch project is open to all businesses founded and operated by someone with autism or those focused on inclusive hiring. Submissions will be accepted until October 12. To learn more about AI360° and to submit pitch ideas, please contact [email protected].

HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, through educational, life skills and vocational training, residential, case management, recreational, family support and health care services. Since its founding in 1914, HeartShare has expanded its reach to over 100 program sites in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, as well as to 61 of the 62 New York counties through energy grants to low-income families. HeartShare is proud that 90% of all revenue goes directly to its programs and services. HeartShare is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children and is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity. For more information, visit http://www.heartshare.org/.

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SOURCE HeartShare Human Services of New York