A workplace should be inclusive and friendly to all employees. Not all working tools are ideal for supporting all employees' activity at work. If you have disability inclusion team members, treating them right is necessary. 
 The role of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools is essential for supporting people with disabilities. The automated nature of AAC tools makes creating and sharing messages easier so that communication can run seamlessly. With various options available on the market, choosing one can be challenging for you. So we&rsquo;ve rolled up five top internal communication tools to support disability inclusion in your company. Keep reading! 
<h2> Grid 3 (for PC)</h2>
 Grid 3 is a comprehensive assistive software designed to help people with disabilities. It offers many features that can help them communicate easily. Also, consider using specific communication channels such as <a href="https://breadnbeyond.com/explainer-videos/">explainer videos</a> so new employees can retain crucial information better. Users can customize and control their computer environment according to their preferences. So they can personalize their working tools to provide the utmost comfort while working. The symbol communication feature allows users to choose words and phrases represented by symbols to communicate. There are ready-made grid sets available, and the editing interface is touch-friendly and easy to use. Moreover, the accessible apps in Grid 3 give access to Facebook, YouTube, email, SMS, and much more. This way, it gets easier for them to communicate and share updates with other employees. 
<h2> Predictable 5 (All Platforms)</h2>
 Predictable may appear elementary at first glance. But it is one of the best communication apps for everyday conversation with family, friends, and coworkers. Predictable offers a range of features designed to assist users in constructing sentences quickly and accurately. This feature is especially helpful for those with communication difficulties who need support making sentences in real-time. There is also backend support for all users through a free login profile. Changes made to settings and saved phrases are automatically and securely sent to the cloud, which users can transfer onto another device. 
Another feature is Floorhold, which speaks sentences while the user types their message. This feature is handy for AAC users who require time to build their responses and want their listeners to wait. Users can choose between automatic, manual, or both options to find the most suitable mode. In addition, Predictable offers five different keyboards, including a 10-key for scanning assistance and a customizable appearance with a modern and practical user interface. 
<h2>EZ Speech Pro (for iOS &amp; Android)</h2>
 EZ Speech Pro is another option to support disability inclusion employees. This app is mainly designed for those who can read but have limited ability to speak. One of the key features is Typing-to-Speech, which allows users to type in anything they want to say and press the &ldquo;Speak&rdquo; button. This feature provides a quick and easy way for individuals to communicate their thoughts and needs to others. EZ Speech also has Text Saving/Retrieval that users can use to create long paragraphs or complete speeches and save them for later retrieval. This feature ensures that users can access their pre-written messages anytime and communicate more efficiently.
&nbsp;
Moreover, EZ Speech allows users to create customized vocabularies with Topics and associated Phrases. Users can add as many Topics and phrases as they like and build a customized language. The app even comes preloaded with 13 Topics and over 350+ phrases, and users can type something and press the &ldquo;Speak&rdquo; button. This feature offers great flexibility and enables individuals to express themselves more accurately and confidently. 
<h2>Clarocom (for iOS)</h2>
 ClaroCom is an AAC app designed for iPad or iPhone. It aims to assist individuals with difficulties producing or comprehending spoken or written language. Offering text-to-speech features, it serves as a communication aid to replace speech or support writing for people with&nbsp;disabilities. Moreover, Clarocom comes in two free and paid versions that users can easily install on their iPhone or iPad. It has word and phrase predictions on a phrase bar above the keyboard. As it speaks out the phrases and sentences, the in-built voices are high-quality to provide the most natural output. 
<h2> Mind Express 4 (for PC)</h2>
 Mind Express is a communication software designed to assist people with communication disorders.&nbsp; The software draws on more than 20 years of experience supporting users worldwide, including those with cerebral palsy, autism (ASD), selective mutism, MS, MND, Down&rsquo;s syndrome, aphasia, and more, in their daily activities. Mind Express is used for various purposes, including <a href="https://onlinebizbooster.net/how-to-improve-team-communication/">communicating with partners</a>, friends, and coworkers. It also has leisure activities like playing games or watching movies. Many organizations, clinics, and schools utilize the app as a communication and teaching aid for children and adults. 
<h2>Takeaway</h2>
 Using supporting communication tools to aid employees is necessary to help them perform optimally. Some inclusive workers may already have communication tools, but companies also need to ensure that the tools they use are ideal for working. The above options are some of the best communication tools for disability-inclusive employers and can really help promote a <a href="https://spacehuntr.com/journal/15-team-building-activities-to-promote-diversity-and-inclusion/">diverse and inclusive work environment</a>. Some are available for desktop use, while others are compatible with smartphones and tablets. Besides, there are also free options available.
 Our platform is designed to connect you with the best and brightest candidates who bring unique perspectives and experiences to your team. Inclusion is not just a buzzword, it's a competitive advantage in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Companies that prioritize inclusion enjoy increased innovation, creativity, and employee satisfaction. Contact us at gettinghired@careercircle.com to take the first step toward building a more inclusive and successful workplace! 
<hr>
 Content Contributor:
Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning explainer video production company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order). <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/kWxHkXH8SqmggDXpCE9L">

Support disability inclusion with top AAC tools. Enhance your workplace communication and create an inclusive environment.

Tools to Support Disability Inclusion | Getting Hired

Tools to Support Disability Inclusion

<h2>Ways Employers Can Support Veterans in the Workplace</h2>
 As of <a href="https://blog.dol.gov/2021/11/9/veterans-in-the-labor-force-6-stats" rel="noopener" target="_blank">2020</a>, military veterans accounted for only 5.6% of the civilian workforce. This disparity can create a wall between non-military employees and veterans. To close that gap and better support veterans, employers can be more accountable for their inclusion efforts. Here are some ways to create a more veteran-friendly workplace.
&nbsp;
<h3>Bridge The Gap Between Civilian and Veteran Employees</h3>
Educating non-military employees so they are more knowledgeable is crucial to creating a more empathetic workforce. It is a considerable gap to close though. Separating from the military and transitioning into civilian life is an adjustment for veterans that many individuals may not understand.
There are countless factors of military life civilians should take into consideration to be more informed and empathetic. It can be hard to keep track of the military jargon and intricacies for a civilian. This lack of understanding can make veteran employees feel alienated from their
non-military coworkers. A first step and key part of understanding veterans is active listening. 
<h3>Recognize The Value Veterans Offer</h3>
Veterans bring a lot of worth from the experiences and skills they inherited from their military service. Recognizing and amplifying their value can encourage a better working team.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Veterans are team-oriented people. The military is extremely team-oriented. Individuals work closely together towards a common Those who thrive are the members that are reliable and communicative. Veterans make great leaders, and this is a skill that can be transferred to other areas of life. Some civilians may not have the opportunity to develop this skill in a traditional work environment.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>They bring diverse perspectives. There are countless branches of services and specialties within those Some veterans have been deployed or operated with international teams. Every veteran has an individual experience that can bring new solutions to issues.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Their problem-solving skills are strong. Not only can veterans bring diverse perspectives to help solve problems, but they are great critical thinkers. Working together under high-stress, fast-paced environments develops quick and efficient decision-making. This skill can be extremely useful in the workplace.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Integrity and quality work are their Just because they&rsquo;re taught to make quick decisions, veterans don&rsquo;t sacrifice quality. For instance, some veterans have high-level security clearances.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; The military expects all of its members to meet high standards in every aspect of their work. At the end of the day, they want to do what is right and do it exceptionally well. 
<h3>Provide Veterans with Professional Development Opportunities</h3>
Most employees want a company that will invest in their professional growth and encourages their development. As for veterans, it's important to recognize their strengths and build on them.
Many veterans transition into the civilian workforce with the skills mentioned previously as well as other specific skill sets. However, the skills learned in the military can be difficult to transfer to civilian life, leaving veterans at a disadvantage.
To remedy this, offer comprehensive and ongoing training opportunities for all employees. Thorough training is an effective way to make sure team members are on the same page while preventing veteran employees from being singled out.
Companies that prioritize individual growth might see more fulfilled employees, which can mean better retention. Take the <a href="https://gopuff.com/blog/news" rel="noopener" target="_blank">delivery company Gopuff for</a> example. In 2021, 71% of employees reported that they felt their current company provided them meaningful opportunities for career advancement. Additionally, employees were more satisfied since they were frequently challenged by their position and given professional growth opportunities.
Establishing a mentorship program or encouraging informal mentorships is another way to provide guidance and learning opportunities to veterans. This gives them a colleague to reach out to. It&rsquo;s also an educational opportunity for both the mentor and mentee.
&nbsp;
<h3>Find the Gaps in Veteran Initiatives</h3>
Listening to your employees is essential to understanding where gaps in your company are.
Especially for finding the gaps that smaller, specific groups of employees struggle with&mdash;i.e. the veteran community.
Make it a priority to check in with team members to see how they&rsquo;re doing personally and professionally. Distribute anonymous surveys to collect feedback on company culture and performance. Chances are, you'll find connections in the concerns and attitudes of your employees.
Many companies have found gaps in their veteran hiring efforts and have been making it a priority to close those gaps. One of these companies is the <a href="https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/careers/work-at-dow/veterans.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">chemical manufacturing company</a> ,<a href="https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/careers/work-at-dow/veterans.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Dow</a>. Their veteran employee resource group, VETNET, provides personal and professional guidance to veterans during their transition into the civilian workforce.
In 2020, Dow also launched their Military Degree Equivalency program. This program levels the field for veterans and their civilian counterparts. It does this by equating their relevant experience to a college degree. 
<h3>Equip Veterans with Resources</h3>
Listening to what your employees want is the first step in supporting their well-being. Providing resources for them is the next step.
Take note that supplying the following resources to employees does not guarantee they will use them. Some employees, and more so veterans, may be hesitant to reach out for help.
According to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499503/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">the Department of Veteran Affairs</a>, roughly 1.7 million veterans have been diagnosed with a mental health need. Almost half of those veterans don't utilize any mental health services.
There are a few things employers can do to create a safe space for their veteran employees.
<ul>
<li>Mental Health Resources. Destigmatizing mental health in the workplace is a step in the right direction for promoting better employee health. Providing mental health days or resources such as an Employee Assistance Program is essential for employee wellness. They at least give employees the option to use them if they chose to rather than being provided nothing at all.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Disability Resources. According to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/vet.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, 4.9 million veterans had a service-connected disability as of August from an <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/veterans-with-disabilities-an-employment-outlook" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">employer's outlook</a>, it&rsquo;s crucial to provide resources to veterans with disabilities. Regardless of whether or not their disability is related to their military service, they deserve equal support.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Employee resource groups aren&rsquo;t established by organizations. Instead, they are voluntary, employee-led groups that aim to promote a more diverse and inclusive workplace. On an employee level, they can create more visibility for marginalized employees and create connections for those feeling isolated.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
ERGs can help identify important issues and significant gaps for executive leadership and coworkers who are not part of the ERGs.
Additionally, allow your employees to take mental health days and create flexible schedules if it&rsquo;s possible to do so. This will save them the stress of figuring out when they can make time for themselves outside of work hours.
Having veterans on your team is crucial for diversifying your employee population and becoming more inclusive to employees with different backgrounds. At CareerCircle, we&rsquo;re dedicated to helping our veteran community connect with inclusive employers.&nbsp;

Support veterans in the workplace by bridging gaps, recognizing their value, and providing development opportunities.

How to Support Veterans in the Workplace | Getting HiredWays Employers Can Support Veterans in the

How to Support Veterans in the Workplace

Remote work has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years. While it was already growing, the COVID-19 pandemic caused it to skyrocket out of necessity. However, many people are still working remotely thanks to the benefits it brings. For employers, remote work means reduced overhead, greater productivity, and happier workers. For employees, it allows for <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/real-estate/our-insights/americans-are-embracing-flexible-work-and-they-want-more-of-it" rel="noopener" target="_blank">greater flexibility</a> and the opportunity for a healthier work-life balance. 
But, the popularity of remote work has caused the job market to become somewhat &ldquo;saturated&rdquo; with potential candidates. Even if you have experience and skill, you might have a hard time standing out if you don&rsquo;t take a few extra steps. 
So, what can you do to get ahead in a candidate pool that seems to be ever-growing? How can you be the candidate a potential employer looks at and wants to interview right away? Let&rsquo;s cover a few effective and helpful tips that can make your remote work job search more successful. 
<h2>Understand Common Hiring Practices</h2>
More companies are hiring remote workers across the globe. Not only is it cost-effective for businesses, but it allows them to pull candidates from a larger talent pool, so they can ensure they&rsquo;re getting the best people for each role. You might be that person for a specific job, but it&rsquo;s important to understand the hiring processes of companies doing a lot of remote work. 
For example, some companies practice cluster hiring, where they recruit several remote workers from one specific area of the country. Some of the benefits of this practice for businesses include: 
<ul>
<li> Increased diversity</li>
<li> Greater inclusivity</li>
<li> Boosted collaboration</li>
<li> Better connection and communication</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Take a look at companies that might be looking for employees in your area. By showcasing where you&rsquo;re from and how close you are to the &ldquo;cluster&rdquo; you&rsquo;re looking for, you could stand out and become a part of a smaller pond of candidates, rather than competing against an entire ocean of prospective recruits. 
<h2>Leverage Remote Skills</h2>
Once you have an idea of what a company is looking for and how they&rsquo;re hiring, it&rsquo;s time to leverage your skills to fit the needs of a business that&rsquo;s going remote. The skills you&rsquo;ve built that are necessary for a specific role will always be important. However, leveraging skills that will help you stand out as a remote employee is just as necessary if you want to be desirable. Some of those skills include: 
<ul>
<li> Working independently</li>
<li> Maintaining productivity</li>
<li> Strong communication</li>
<li> Time management</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Including those things in your resume and cover letter will likely cause an employer to give you a second look. It can also help if you have some of the current in-demand skillsets for landing a remote job. Things like marketing, web design, HR skills, finance, and customer support are all trending right now in the remote world. While you don&rsquo;t need to be an expert in those areas, you might consider capitalizing on those skills if you&rsquo;re having trouble standing out from the crowd. 
<h2>Foster Strong Connections</h2>
One of the greatest benefits of remote work can also be a potential drawback, depending on the people involved. We&rsquo;ve seen great advancements in technology over the last several years. That&rsquo;s what has made remote work possible for so many people. In fact, <a href="https://telegramd.com/why-the-trend-toward-digitalization-is-a-great-equalizer/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">technology has become a great equalizer</a> in recent years, allowing businesses to level the playing field for disadvantaged and <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/building-confidence-in-the-job-search-a-guide-fo" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">underrepresented groups</a>. That&rsquo;s great for employers as it allows them to choose from a more diverse group of candidates, but it also means more competition for recruits. 
The advancements in technology haven&rsquo;t just made remote work more accessible for everyone. They&rsquo;ve also made it easier for people to stay connected. However, some remote employees have a hard time feeling like they &ldquo;belong&rdquo; if they&rsquo;re not getting enough human interaction. 
You want to find a healthy balance that works for you from the start. As you&rsquo;re trying to network throughout your job search, don&rsquo;t be afraid to reach out to people and start conversations. If you get selected for an interview, prepare yourself for a video chat or phone call. Get comfortable using different modes of communication to connect with people, because you might never actually meet them face to face. 
By showing that you&rsquo;re comfortable using technology to communicate (and showing that you can use it well), you&rsquo;re more likely to stand out to a potential employer. No matter where people are working, strong communication in the workplace is essential. When you understand how to use technology to your advantage and know how to communicate across multiple channels, an employer will not only see you as a great team player, but a potential leader in the future. 
The rise of remote work is a good thing, but you&rsquo;ll have to reach a little further to stand out as a candidate than you would have five years ago. Thankfully, with a few extra steps, you can prove to any potential employer that you&rsquo;re the right person for the job, and stand out in your hiring pool no matter how many people you&rsquo;re competing against. 
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Searching for a new position or switching careers? To apply and discover more about opportunities that are HIRING NOW, create an account at <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/candidates/signup" rel="follow">careercircle.com</a>!&nbsp; </h4>
&nbsp;
<hr>

Content Contributor:
Ainsley Lawrence is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. She is interested in better living through technology and education. She loves traveling to beautiful places and is frequently lost in a good book.

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Tools to Support Disability Inclusion

How to Support Veterans in the Workplace

Be a Stand-Out Candidate: Remote Work Search

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