TPMA Conducting WIOA Individuals with Disabilities Employment Study

Jun 15, 2021

Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA) is currently developing and conducting a comprehensive study of the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

The study aims to identify and better understand the reasons working age adults with disabilities in Berks County are disproportionately not employed or are under-employed, both from the individual’s perspective and the potential employer’s perspective; in addition, the study will highlight how COVID-19 has affected employer’s willingness to hire this population as well as the individual’s ability/desire to obtain employment. Lastly, the study will provide the board with insight and strategies to promote recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities.

“We are excited to help Berks County discover ways they can better empower individuals with disabilities to seek and retain employment that provides them with robust opportunities for growth and advancement” says Nioka Clark, Senior Consultant who is managing the project. Our methodology includes studying the population both directly and indirectly through family, friends, community members and data from the U.S. Census Bureau to better define disabled in Berks County. Our team will host a public presentation in October for National Disability Employment Awareness Month and finalize the study in November.