The Kessler Foundation in East Hanover, New Jersey, has announced 2021 grants totaling approximately $2 million to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace.

Through its foundation-directed grants program, the foundation awarded more than $600,000 in support of five initiatives, including efforts to educate human resource professionals to effectively recruit qualified hires with disabilities; analyze employment statistics for people with and without disabilities and share findings with the public; conduct a survey identifying changes in effectiveness of employment practices to support workers with disabilities; and explore hiring biases against individuals with disabilities in data collected by artificial intelligence candidate filters.

In addition, the foundation awarded twenty-eight grants totaling $1 million through its Community Employment grants program, which assists nonprofit organizations that serve New Jersey residents with disabilities. An additional $200,000 in Special Initiative grants was awarded in support of proposals to foster independence, communication skill building, inclusiveness, and physical and emotional wellness.

“These grants will go a long way to help ensure that jobseekers with disabilities are considered among candidates for available job opportunities today and in the future,” said Kessler Foundation senior vice president for grants and communications Elaine E. Katz.

For a complete list of the latest grants, see the Kessler Foundation website.

(Photo credit: Getty Images / Edwin Tan)