Mayo Clinic has established innovative employment partnerships to drive inclusive hiring opportunities. In Arizona, their operations partnered with the Arizona@Work Vocational Rehabilitation and Department of Employment Services and in Northwest WI, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Support Agencies to find meaningful employment for individual with disabilities. The MaxAbility Employment Taskforce, led by Mayo Clinic Rochester, is a volunteer collaboration of local professionals with a broad range of experience in disability hiring. Their focus is providing personal assistance to employers in their region looking to develop productive, disability-inclusive workplace cultures. The taskforce offers quarterly network meetings which provide an avenue for employers, job placement professionals, non-profits, and educators to learn together and collaborate in an effort to grow competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. MaxAbility hosts Virtual Reverse Job Fairs where job seekers provide a short introduction of themselves highlighting their skills and abilities while stating their job interests. Employers are given an opportunity to ask candidates questions after their pitch and share their contact information with the job seeker they would like to connect with after the event. In October, MaxAbility hosts Career Connections for employer education, and attends annual Career Fairs. Another example of a strong partnership is Mayo Clinic’s relationship with Minnesota Association of Higher Education and Disability (MN AHEAD) which provides support and education to professionals working with secondary and post-secondary students with disabilities. This organization has shared the podcast, “Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences,” a series that explores the experiences of Mayo Clinic staff as they navigate life personally and professionally. In a recent episode, an administrative assistant wheelchair user, talks with Ena, a certified clinical research coordinator who has been experiencing visual loss since her late teens. Sharing these employee experiences with college students has increased understanding of others and ultimately contributes to finding connections, belonging, and inclusion at work. Sharing employee personal stories so college students can see themselves as part of the Mayo Clinic team has been a key strategy in attracting talent with disabilities. Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, WI; Phoenix, AZ; and Rochester, MN host the Project SEARCH programs. Project SEARCH is a nine month, unique, business-led, school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration and relevant job-skills training through strategically designed internships leading to integrated and competitive employment for youth with disabilities. The program is based on a collaboration that includes a local business, school district, VR, disability services agencies and family.
