Employment and People Living with HIV: #InclusionWorks!

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), celebrating the contributions of workers with disabilities and raising awareness of the value of a diverse workforce inclusive of their skills and talents.

Employment is an essential part of leading an independent, self-directed life for all people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. Reflecting this, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is one of six federal agencies responsible for implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) participates in carrying out DOL's role under the Strategy, with a focus on improving employment opportunities and outcomes and reducing stigma and discrimination for people living with HIV/AIDS. ODEP has posted a suite of Employment and Living with HIV/AIDS resources to assist individuals, employers, and service providers in understanding related issues.

These include Getting to Work: An Online Training Curriculum for HIV/AIDS Service Providers and Housing Providers. Developed collaboratively by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this freely available curriculum helps HIV/AIDS service providers, including housing providers, understand how employment can add value for individuals, families and communities. It provides proven strategies that service providers can implement to incorporate employment into their approach and create new opportunities for the populations they serve.

Be sure to check out these great resources and learn other ways you can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month.