Business Leaders Complete Training Through the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Disability Hiring Academy

To equip Kentucky employers with the tools and knowledge to build more inclusive workplaces by engaging individuals with disabilities in meaningful employment opportunities, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation hosted the first-ever cohort of its Disability Hiring Academy, sponsored by the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute.

The Disability Hiring Academy offers an innovative training curriculum to guide businesses through recruiting, hiring, and retaining talented individuals from the disability community. Kentucky faces the third-largest disability employment gap in the U.S., with an employment rate of just 32.3% for Kentuckians with disabilities aged 18-64, a disparity that is even more pronounced in the state’s rural areas.

Participants in the program learned best practices for fostering an inclusive culture, accessing expert resources, and implementing strategies to create accessible and supportive environments within their organizations. Throughout the training, participants engaged in interactive sessions, connected with like-minded professionals, and developed actionable strategies to strengthen their workplace cultures.

“The Disability Hiring Academy reflects our commitment to ensuring all Kentuckians have the opportunity to participate fully in the workforce,” said LaKisha Miller, Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Center. “This first cohort of graduates has shown exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing workplace inclusion, setting a strong example for employers across the state. We are grateful to the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute for their partnership and look forward to continuing this important work.”

The inaugural cohort included 26 participants representing 19 companies from different industries, highlighting the growing recognition of the value that individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. View the list of participants here.

“Any employer that is looking to put more focus on disability inclusion in their workforce would greatly benefit from this program,” said Sue-Minton Colvin, human resource and people development analyst at Toyota Kentucky. “The contacts, resources, and education they provide can give you the first steps in working toward an impactful and intentional strategy for the recruitment, employment, and retention of individuals with disabilities. This is a largely untapped population of people who want a chance to earn a living, be a part of a team, and grow in their careers.”