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Why Increase Your Capacity with Individuals with Disabilities?

In a recent Forbes article (February 2021), it reviewed research done on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. When thinking of your own business, and how you visualize it looking next year, or in ten years, I imagine you would be happy if you saw:

• Improved profitability (profits and cost-effectiveness, turnover and retention, reliability and punctuality, employee loyalty, company image);

• Competitive advantage (diversity of customers, customer loyalty and satisfaction, innovation, productivity, work ethic, and safety);

• An inclusive work culture; and

• Ability awareness.

According to the research, providing workplace accommodations to make sure people with disabilities are fully integrated into the workplace reveals more benefits than costs. In its annual survey, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Accommodation Network (JAN) questions employers about providing workplace accommodations. The most recent survey found that:

• Employers are open to providing accommodation for employees to retain them on the job;

• Most employers report zero or very low costs associated with accommodation;

• With accommodations in place, workers with disabilities are more productive and less likely to be absent;

• Employers save on workers’ compensation or other insurance costs;

• Employers can more easily promote a person with a disability; and

• Employees who’ve been accommodated have better interactions with co-workers, increased morale, and increased productivity.

It may be time to start thinking about who you are hiring, and the symbiotic relationship that comes from hiring individuals with disabilities. This page is designed to support you in that process.

Two Ways Employers Can Build Capacity with Individuals with Disabilities

Supported employment enables people with disabilities become successfully employed to work and contribute to society by focusing on a person’s abilities, and using a 360 degree support approach that is necessary for the individual, their family, and the employer to experience success in the work place.

Support employment is a work-based learning experience that involves actual work experience in order to build life skills, employment and career skills, and create a sense of belonging or value for the student. It could also be an experience that connects to classroom learning in order for student to receive graduation credits.

Progressive employment provides individuals who have little or no work history, low skill levels, disabilities, corrections involvement, or other barriers a way into paid employment that builds skill level and confidence. Typically, it consists of short-term placement opportunities where individuals can try out a new work scenario, build valuable skills and experience and show an employer what he or she can do. One major goal of this type of work experience is to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed in a new environment or with the new experience.

For some, a work placement may lead to future employment with the employer, but for others it may be a temporary, exploratory experience to expand the individual's skill set. Employers like progressive employment because they work with Creative Workforce Solutions (CWS) to carefully match job seekers to the right opportunities, and they will have a chance to assess the individual's skills without the commitment of making a full-time hire.

Knowing How to Support Your Employees with Disabilities

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Use this Fact Sheet to help you understand your responsibilities.