Project Overview
The Next Steps Programs (TNS) is a non-profit organization that aims to break down the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from finding educational and employment opportunities after high school. Joshua Fields, the co-founder and CEO of TNS, started the organization at 16 years old and has been involved in the disability rights movement ever since.
Today, Joshua continues to help those with disabilities through programs and community engagement. The programs offered by TNS focus on bolstering skills in: communication, employability, self-advocacy, independent living and teamwork. They also work with employers to support their efforts in creating more inclusive workplaces. The non-profit encourages all employers to hire people with disabilities, and works with organizations to train, educate and support the hiring process of people with disabilities.
By partnering with Otter PR, TNS hoped to gain more media exposure to bring awareness to the disability community and highlight the work that the organization is doing.
The Problem
TNS has been providing services to the disability community for several years, and continued to do so amidst a global pandemic. Their goal of fostering independent living and bolstering social skill among their members has been achieved through their workshops and various programs.
Through these initiatives, TNS hopes to give the disability community the tools needed to create further educational and employment opportunities for themselves.
The Strategy
At Otter PR, we aimed to establish Joshua as a leading voice for disability-related issues. By maintaining open communication with Joshua, we were able to find opportunities for him to showcase his expertise, particularly in the topic of disability unemployment. Joshua, along with Otter PR, was able to work on a guest column that appeared in the opinion section of The Philadelphia Inquirer, one of the most influential newspapers in the eastern United States.
Business Impact (results)
Through our collaborative efforts, TNS has seen an increase in brand awareness in their local community. Having appeared in a national newspaper, as well as a regional radio program, Joshua has been able highlight the work that TNS has been doing and establish himself as a knowledgeable voice in the disability community. This will help TNS’ outreach initiatives and continue to expand their services.
