The US Business Leaders Network (USBLN) believes the inclusion of students and youth with disabilities in its programming is essential to assist businesses in preparing an American workforce ready to take on tomorrow’s challenges. The USBLN® has created the TOWER Initiative to be proactive in providing both students and youth with disabilities, as well as businesses, the Tools on Work and Employment Readiness necessary to meet the demands of employers. Through the TOWER Initiative the USBLN® is working with our affiliates to provide them with the tools to work with their business partners. These tools are designed to expand mentoring and internship opportunities for students and youth with disabilities.

The USBLN® also provides our affiliates with resources to assist them with creating Student Advisory Councils. This will ensure that a youth voice is present and assisting business as they move forward with their strategic implementation of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce. We also work with our affiliates at the national level to incorporate soft skill development in our interactions with young people with disabilities.

USBLN business members span across all of the great industries of American business. These organizations all realize that there are no limits to the careers that people with disabilities can excel in, working hand in hand with their non-disabled colleagues. For their business members who wish to have a direct impact on fostering new opportunities within their companies for students with disabilities, TOWER Initiative staff are available to provide customized consulting services.

The USBLN® is the national disability organization that serves as the collective voice of over 60 Business Leadership Network affiliates across North America, representing over 5,000 employers. The USBLN® helps build workplaces, marketplaces, and supply chains where people with disabilities are respected for their talents, while supporting the development and expansion of its BLN affiliates. The USBLN® recognizes and supports best practices in the employment and advancement of people with disabilities; the preparedness for work of youth and students with disabilities; marketing to consumers with disabilities; and contracting with vendors with disabilities through the development and certification of disability-owned businesses.

To learn more about the TOWER Initiative or to find out how your company can receive customized solutions contact Gary Goosman, Director of the TOWER Initiative, at 202-349-4259 or gary@usbln.org.