Hiring people with disabilities is a win for you as an employer.
Counter to myths and stereotypes, people with all kinds of disabilities are reliable, dedicated employees who are generally shown to be just as productive and present as employees without disabilities. Although some employees with disabilities may need accommodations to be successful, these accommodations do not need to be fancy and expensive (see Assistive Technology link on right).
-
Information on common myths verses facts about hiring people with disabilities, please see the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) fact sheet called Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts. Learn More
-
To best utilize employees with disabilities’ talents, skills, and abilities, please see the LEAD Center’s information brief called Perspective of Employers on Customized Employment. Learn More
-
If you are a federal contractor, you can learn more the 2013 regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. These regulations include setting a nationwide goal regarding the percent of employees with disabilities working for federal contractors. Learn More
Additionally, the links to the right are useful to all audiences, including employers.
Did you know that many local and state governments provide incentives and resources to small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities? These incentives and resources help the business hire and retain workers with disabilities. Local and state governments offer various supports, such as tax incentives or reimbursement for the cost of workplace accommodations. Many small businesses can benefit from these – and similar support may exist in your area.
​
In this webinar, learn about innovative state and local programs that help small businesses tap into a talented and diverse workforce and promote inclusivity with minimal cost. Experts from Minnesota’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the City of Tacoma, Washington Department of Finance will offer participants the reasons to and guidance on developing and implementing such a program. The benefits of these programs will also be discussed.
​
During this webinar, participants will learn more about:
-
A local program providing tax incentives for supporting small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities
-
A state government-funded program that provides financial assistance to employers to cover accommodations for disabled employees
-
Ways to build mutually beneficial relationships between small business, community organizations, and state and local governments