Supporting our Veterans with Disabilities – A Memorial Day Blog

A guest blog with information provided by Shane Nicholson, Outreach Manager, Legal|Finders and prologue from Stan Kimer

Prologue: Both people with disabilities and veterans are often quite an under-utilized source of talent, and organizations need to do more to provide employment opportunities for these communities to contribute to our economy. Part of my consulting practice focuses on building inclusive recruiting strategies (I am offering a 4-hour workshop through the National Diversity Council in August). This blog now provides resources for veterans with disabilities getting the legal support that they need.

From Shane Nicholson:

In the United States in 2020, there were 4.7 million veterans with a service-connected disability — or a debilitating injury they incurred during active duty service, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Disabled veterans, or those veterans who are facing debilitating illness or injury post-combat, may face great challenges when they return home — challenges beyond the scope of their injuries. Legal|Finders is a resource connecting people to best-in-class lawyers in their local areas. Because of our passion for community involvement, we wanted to use our expertise to create free informational resources for our often-forgotten veterans.

In our guide, https://www.legalfinders.com/disabled-veterans-guide/, we dive into different points such as:

* Why Disabled Veterans Experience Lack of Resources
* Discrimination Against Disabled Veterans
* Important Rights for Disabled Veterans
* National Resources to Help Bridge the Gap

Introduction: At Legal|Finders, we have made it our mission to serve those who have selflessly served our nation. With a deep respect for the sacrifices made by veterans, we have established a specialized practice dedicated to providing comprehensive legal assistance to veterans and their families. Our team of experienced attorneys is passionate about supporting veterans through the complex legal landscape, ensuring they receive the benefits, compensation, and justice they deserve.

Expertise in Veterans’ Law. Understanding the unique challenges faced by veterans, our law firm has developed an extensive expertise in veterans’ law. Our dedicated team possesses an in-depth knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern veterans’ benefits, disability claims, healthcare, employment, housing, and other critical areas. We are well-versed in the intricacies of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system and the appeals process, enabling us to navigate the complex bureaucracy on behalf of our clients.

Veterans returning home need an equitable opportunity to find jobs leveraging their skills

Comprehensive Legal Services. We provide a wide range of legal services tailored specifically to meet the needs of veterans. Whether you require assistance with disability claims, appealing denied benefits, obtaining healthcare coverage, securing employment rights, resolving housing disputes, or addressing other legal matters, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. We are committed to ensuring that veterans and their families receive the support and resources necessary to rebuild their lives and achieve a brighter future.

Personalized Approach and Compassionate Advocacy. At Legal|Finders, we understand the personal and emotional impact that legal issues can have on veterans. That’s why we take a personalized approach, taking the time to listen, understand your unique circumstances, and tailor our legal strategies accordingly. Our team of compassionate advocates is dedicated to providing the highest level of representation, guiding veterans through the legal process with empathy, patience, and respect. We strive to empower our clients by keeping them informed, involved, and actively engaged in their cases.

Collaborative Network and Resources. To better serve our veteran clients, we have cultivated a robust network of professionals and resources. We work closely with medical experts, vocational rehabilitation specialists, counselors, and other professionals who understand the specific needs of veterans. This collaborative approach allows us to develop comprehensive and well-rounded legal strategies that address not only the legal aspects but also the broader challenges veterans may face. We are committed to connecting veterans with the support services and resources they require to enhance their overall well-being and quality of life.

Conclusion: At Legal|Finders, we take immense pride in assisting the heroes who have bravely served our country. Our unwavering dedication to veterans’ rights, combined with our extensive legal expertise, ensures that veterans and their families receive the comprehensive support they deserve. If you are a veteran in need of legal assistance or seeking guidance on any veterans’ legal matters, we are here to help you navigate the path toward justice, benefits, and a brighter future.”

Special Guest Blog for National Disability Employment Awareness Month

By Sandy Moonert, North Carolina Program Director for Enable America

Intro from Stan C. Kimer: My first blog in October was focused on the connection between schoolyard bullying and workplace harassment (link), since October is Bullying Awareness Month. And since October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a very key area in the diversity mix, I knew I also wanted to add focus on this in my blog.

I am very grateful to Sandy Moonert, who enthusiastically agreed to write about very important collaborative efforts around engaging people with disabilities in the work place. I first met Sandy when I worked with her on a half day session around the toughest areas of diversity – I covered LGBT and she superbly handled people with disabilities. I knew then she was a special person truly passionate about her work who I wanted to keep in touch with.

The Carolina Hurricanes 5th annual Enable America Mentoring Career Day

The Carolina Hurricanes 5th annual Enable America Mentoring Career Day

Costco of Durham's first Enable America Career Exploration Day

Costco of Durham’s first Enable America Career Exploration Day

Each year during the month of October, many diverse and inclusive employers celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an initiative of the Department of Labor-Office of Disability Employment Policy. At Enable America we partner with employers to host Career Mentoring Days, matching job seekers with disabilities to mentors who provide employment information, career coaching, and encouragement. The mentoring company and its employees are exposed to a talented pool of resources while the mentees or job seekers further their understanding of the industry, company and position which they are targeting. Building these bridges of knowledge and education is the mission of Enable America, an advocacy for increasing employment of persons with disabilities, wounded warriors and disabled veterans.

Enable America works with 24 employers across the State of North Carolina, including the Carolina Hurricanes of Raleigh and Costco of Durham (pictured above). This October the Carolina Hurricanes held their 5th annual Enable America Career Mentoring Day. Hurricanes employee Johnny Gill spent the day with Richard referred by the DHHS Division of Services for the Blind, providing a behind-the-scenes view of the hockey operation and career advice; as well as involving Richard in the planning of an upcoming Hurricanes promotion. Also in October, Costco of Durham held their first Enable America Career Exploration Day when General Manager Brian Minion and his staff hosted 20(!) job seekers referred by DHHS VR, Rainbow66Storehouse, Durham Veterans Administration, Becoming of Durham, Carolina Outreach, Community Partnerships, and Ft. Bragg WTB. Job seekers learned about Costco’s unique company benefits and position in the retail industry, as well as employment opportunities and process. Networking opportunities like the Hurricanes and Costco mentoring days give job seekers a competitive edge and can help accelerate their job search while expanding visions of what is possible, for both the job seeker and the employer. Thank you Carolina Hurricanes and Costco of Durham for your inclusive culture!

Enable America’s mission continues throughout the month of November when in addition to persons with disabilities, the nation recognizes National Disabled Veteran Employment Awareness month. Recruitment is underway for wounded warriors, disabled veterans and persons with disabilities to attend mentoring days offered by Enable America in partnership with Eaton Corporation, SAS, Lenovo and Duke Energy. For more information, visit www.EnableAmerica.org.

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About Enable America: Established in 2002 by attorney Richard Salem, Enable America builds bridges between employers, social service agencies, and people with disabilities, including disabled veterans and wounded warriors, through programs that improve employment opportunities. The organization’s Community Connections, Business Connections, Employment Mentoring, Job Skills Workshops and VetConnect programs unite members of the disability community and business community to raise awareness and increase employment opportunities for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities. Information and success stories can be found www.EnableAmerica.org.