Adults with disabilities make up a large part of our communities, yet many still struggle with inclusion and the ability to find meaningful employment. Not all disabilities are present at birth—many individuals become disabled later in life due to accidents or illness. As a result, they often miss out on the support systems available to younger people in high school or college. Through first-hand experience, I have realized how significantly age can impact the challenges adults with disabilities face.
In my own family, I have siblings whose disabilities were caused by illness—conditions that would severely limit their ability to find gainful employment if needed. They are just two among hundreds of thousands of older adults facing similar struggles. These individuals encounter multiple hurdles, including transportation issues, outdated job skills, accessibility barriers, the risk of losing existing benefits, and ongoing medical concerns. On top of that, age itself can be a disadvantage, as employers often favor younger workers. Altogether, these challenges can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that CORE works alongside older adults to help them navigate these obstacles. According to Amber, our Program Director, “Out of 108 participants, 39 are age 30 and over. Nineteen were born with their disabilities, while 20 acquired them later in life. Some have experienced strokes or vision loss, while others have traumatic brain injuries due to accidents or other circumstances.” Even more encouraging is that these individuals have found support and opportunity through CORE.
At CORE, there are no age limits for participation and no challenges we are unwilling to tackle in order to support individuals with disabilities. If you know an older adult who would like to return to the workforce, we encourage you to connect them with us.
Happy spring from all of us at CORE!
