Many Parts to a Whole

This October marks the United States' 70th annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and with what seems like a constant stream of news about employers struggling to find and keep talent, it's a great reminder to be mindful of all the potential that lies in often overlooked populations of talented individuals.

Take this statement in a recent op-ed piece in USA Today written by Deleware Governor, Jack Markell; South Dakota Governor, Dennis Daugaard; and U.S. Secretary of Labor, Tom Perez:

"People with disabilities have many interests and skills; they are an untapped source of ingenuity and productivity. As long as we’re leaving so many people with disabilities on the sidelines, we are not only denying them opportunity; we are undermining the competitiveness of our businesses and stifling economic growth."

I don't think many people would argue with those sentiments, even with the incredible amount of progress in our country, particularly in the last 25 years since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). So how do employers build off this progress and seize opportunities to strengthen their approaches to hiring and retaining people with disabilities?

Six (6) National/Federal Resources

At the national and Federal level there are a multitude of resources and information to assist employers.  Here is just a small sample:

1. www.ada.gov: Provides information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
2. www.askjan.org: The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.
3. www.disability.gov: This site connects people with disabilities, their families and caregivers to helpful resources on topics such as how to apply for disability benefits, find a job, get health care or pay for accessible housing. You can also find organizations in your community to help you get the support you need.
4. U.S. Department of Labor: Resources for hiring persons with disabilities.
5. EEOC: Veterans and the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide for Employers.
6. U.S. Small Business Administration: Hiring People with Disabilities.

Three (3) Local (Northeast Ohio) Resources

In addition, there are an incredible number of organizations and programs in Northeast Ohio.  Here are three:

1. County Boards of Developmental Disabilities: Access to a statewide system of support and services for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  These services are offered to ensure an individual’s health and safety, encourage participation in the community, increase opportunities for meaningful employment, and provide residential services and support from early childhood through adulthood. 
   
2. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD): OOD works with partners in business, education and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; help Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency administering the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) & Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio.
3. www.OhioMeansAccessibility.com: Resources to help Ohioans with disabilities as well as the employers and service providers who support them.

Northeast Ohio is also rich with organizations such as SAW, Inc., Vocational Guidance Services,  LEAP, UCP, Goodwill Industries, the Cleveland Sight Center, Cornucopia, Inc., Koinonia Homes, and Hattie Larlham (just to name a few) that provide support, job training, and opportunities for employment for people with disabilities.

As a matter of fact, on November 5, 2015, the Northeast Ohio Regional Employment Network (which includes several of the organizations listed above), will host its 2015 Employ-Ability Summit: The Untapped Workforce. This summit is an opportunity for local businesses to learn how to access skilled and reliable employees, network with others to enhance a diverse workforce, and gain knowledge on the benefits and financial incentives of hiring individuals with disabilities.  For more information visit www.oacbdd.org/employability. 

Putting it All Together

As one can see, there are no lack of individuals, information, or resources focused on supporting businesses in efforts to attract, develop, and retain talented individuals with disabilities.  So, as October and the 70th annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month comes to a close, whether or not your organization is already actively involved with employing people with disabilities, I'd still encourage you to take a step back and explore this wide range of different resources and possibilities...and look for new ways that people with disabilities can play a greater part in making your business and our community whole.