Skills to Pay the Bills
Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in the U.S. Department of Labor has developed a curriculum focused on work readiness and interpersonal (soft) skills for youth ages 14-21, including youth with disabilities. The curriculum, Skills to Pay the Bills, includes introductory materials, including information on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and tips for improving access for youth with disabilities. Soft skills are grouped into six categories with multiple lesson activities that are creative, hands-on and reflect universal design for learning principles. The six soft skill categories include the following:

  • Communication
  • Enthusiasm and Attitude
  • Teamwork
  • Networking
  • Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
  • Professionalism
Additional materials, including information on social networking, additional resources and comments from youth and facilitators who have used the modules. One of the teachers commented, "I have not enjoyed teaching a program this much in my 25 years of working with students . . .Soft Skills curriculum is a marvelous teaching tool that is able to reach ALL students wherever they may be in their learning process."

The curriculum can be downloaded as one large document or individually by soft skill topic. Seven short (2-3 minute) videos are available: a synopsis of the curriculum and one video for each of the skill categories. The curriculum is also available in Spanish.

Access all of the Skills to Pay the Bills materials here.