Only 34 percent of disabled Pennsylvania residents are employed, a figure that may improve through a mentoring program called Employment First.

Pennsylvania was selected by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy to put more residents with disabilities to work under that federal office’s Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program.

Outgoing Gov. Tom Corbett’s office said the concept is to fully include people with the most significant disabilities in the workplace and community. The departments of Human Services and Education and Labor and Industry will collaborate to align policies and develop a plan to increase school-to-work opportunities for students with disabilities.

“We hope that providing students the opportunity to experience a real workplace setting and talk with people doing the job will inspire them to take their abilities to the marketplace and realize their tremendous potential,” Corbett said.

The program will provide experts who are available by phone and through on-site visits.
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