According to the CDC, t在这里 are about 1 in 4 people in the U.S. or 61 million Americans that have some kind of physical or mental disability. Not all disabilities are obvious such as paraplegia and quadriplegia, Muscular Dystrophy and Multiple Sclerosis, 脑瘫, 和截肢. T在这里 are a number of Americans with hidden disabilities such as diabetes, 癌症, 癫痫, 难语症, 色盲, 和更多的. How many times have people seen someone with a disabled parking sticker park in a disabled spot but look “normal?” People cannot assume anything.
To understand the impact on the 人口, census data reports that t在这里 are 42 million African Americans and 60 million Hispanics in the U.S. 人口. Disability is not dependent on race, ethnicity, or gender. It is more likely with older individuals, but it is the fastest growing minority in the U.S., and unfortunately the unemployment rate is always higher than the current unemployment rate – most recently 10.1% / U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Hiring individuals with disabilities and responding to their needs creates an environment of trust, 生产力, 和保留. Most accommodations are di minimis in cost, if not free. 雇主生活在鱼缸里. Customers will see innovation in employment practices, especially if it leads to higher quality and lower defects. Nondisabled employees will see an employer who cares about the employee, even if the accommodation is not exactly what the employee wants, and it creates a powerful retention tool opportunity. 金钱不是万能的. Finally, disabled employees will market the company, likely passively, as a great place to work.
But to get the sweet spot in employing individuals with disabilities, employers have to reset the culture. 政策必须到位. 管理人员必须接受培训, and managers’ managers must support these changes by making sure their subordinates do what they are supposed to when they are confronted with these situations. 这很可怕, but again individuals with as disability need to be kept at the same standard as anyone else without a disability. 性能问题. But to not have an accommodation policy or an interactive discussion with the employee requesting an accommodation can be a roadblock to good employment practices. That’s why training is important.
Surprisingly, and not recognized, most people who are not disabled know someone who is. It could be their own family, family friends, work mates, etc. 他们是否认识某个人, 或不, eventually they may recognize the need for the benefits of accessibility and generous accommodation. 如前所述, a place that cannot accommodate one disabled customer or employee may lose the business and goodwill of their relatives or friends who may have a direct or indirect role as to purchases and contracting.
And those supporting individuals with disabilities may not accept that accommodations may take time. The most uncompromising advocates are nondisabled best friends and members of their families, who could be outraged when confronted for the first time with disability discrimination through their close connection with a disabled friend or loved one.
One way you can learn more about hiring employees with disabilities is by joining SBAM at the 6th Annual MI Hidden Talent Workshop! 了解更多有关该事件的信息 在这里.
Another great resource for employers is the Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) – Business Network Division (BND). They are a free resource for Michigan employers, and they have counterparts in every state. They can provide guidance and assistance with the hiring of individuals with disability as well as free resources to assist the successful placement of those with more pronounced needs. Piatt珍妮, 政策局处长, Business Network-Michigan Rehabilitation Services, is a great resource and should be on everyone’s speed dial.