New Jersey state agencies are preparing to implement more robust strategies to recruit workers with disabilities in compliance with a new law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy last week to help people find and maintain steady employment.

The new law requires the state’s Division of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action and Civil Service Commission to develop a program to increase awareness of state employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The affirmative action officer of each state agency will be required to manage the program.

The new initiative, called the “State As A Model Employer of People With Disabilities” program, or SAME, was sponsored by state Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-39).

“It really was inspired by my own experiences growing up and seeing a loved one struggle themselves,” Schepisi said.

The SAME program will need to find ways to “remove barriers to the application and hiring process, and create mechanisms to increase retention rates” for people with disabilities employed by the state, according to the law.

“I think it’s really important for us as a state to recognize that it’s an underserved population and to provide opportunity and job training and advancements for our most vulnerable residents,” Schepisi said.

Javier Robles is the chair of the New Jersey Disabilities COVID-19 Action Committee, and a professor at Rutgers University. He is also the director of the Center For Disability Sports, Health and Wellness and co-chair of the...

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