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Tag: NDEAM

  • Ciatto: Hiring people with disabilities boosts Long Island workplaces | Long Island Business News

    In Brief:
    • Only 37% of working-age Americans with disabilities are employed, highlighting the need for inclusive hiring.
    • Candleworks by ACLD provides meaningful employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
    • Accommodations for employees with disabilities often cost little, and employers may be eligible for tax credits.
    • Inclusive workplaces foster higher morale, retention, productivity, and reflect a commitment to accessibility and acceptance.

    Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) reminds us that an inclusive workforce is both possible and necessary. For the millions of Americans with disabilities currently employed, having a job is much more than a paycheck. A job represents the ability to contribute to society and have a life of fulfillment, independence and purpose.

    The fact is that only about 37% of working-age people with disabilities are employed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

    Today, job seekers with disabilities are turned away before they get through the door. This is in part due to some business leaders believing that hiring a person with disabilities will come at a cost. However, in most cases, the benefit far outweighs the cost. As the leader of an organization that supports more than 350 people through a Vocational and Supported Employment Services, and also employs 46 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across various roles, I know the positive impact is much greater.

    People with IDD bring a wealth of skills, experiences and unique perspectives to the workplace. They embody the very qualities employers’ value most: Problem-solving, independence, adaptability, loyalty and resilience. They have spent their entire lives navigating a world not designed for them. They overcome this challenge with persistence giving them strength that cannot be taught, only lived.

    It is a privilege to watch employees working and thriving at Candleworks by ACLD, a business we launched in 2022 to create job opportunities. Candleworks makes hand-poured candles, wax melts and diffusers. Among our first employees was Frank, who quickly showed a talent for candle making. At first, he was quiet and reserved, but he steadily built his skills and confidence. I often saw him working diligently in the shop. He was focused, productive and increasingly engaged. Over time, he experimented with scents, shared ideas and eventually leading tours. Last year, he was promoted to lead production assistant, and recently he filmed content for Candleworks’ social media, affectionately called “#FrankCam.”

    This October, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Candleworks will launch Frank’s own creation: A Pumpkin Pie candle. His journey is an example of when given the chance, individuals of all abilities can shine. This is an important example of how providing a job can have a profound impact.

    In terms of the cost for hiring and making accommodations for a person with IDD, it is lower than expected. Over the last several years, the Job Accommodation Network, (JAN) funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, has been conducting research on the cost to employers for hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. Of those employers surveyed, 61% stated the accommodations needed cost nothing; 33% reported that the accommodations were a one-time expense, with a median of $300. Just 6% stated that the accommodation resulted in an annual median cost of $2,400 for the company.

    Employers who hire any person who has consistently faced barriers to employment may be eligible to receive the Work Opportunity Tax Credit with a maximum credit of $2,400.

    Being an inclusive employer creates advantages far greater than any tax credit. This approach demonstrates to current and perspective employees that the organization fosters a work environment rooted in inclusion, accessibility and acceptance. This strengthens internal morale, which leads to a boost in retention and even production. The theme for NDEAM this October is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

    To support NDEAM this month, I encourage business owners to explore this untapped workforce and see the ways they will benefit from hiring a person with disabilities.

     

    Robert Ciatto is president/CEO of Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) in Bethpage.


    Opinion

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  • Democrats and Republicans Agree: Prioritize Jobs for People With Disabilities

    Democrats and Republicans Agree: Prioritize Jobs for People With Disabilities

    33 Governors & Pres. Trump Make Commitments on Jobs for People with Disabilities, Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Oct 30, 2018


    WASHINGTON, October 30, 2018 (Newswire.com)
    –
    October marks the 72nd celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year, people with disabilities and employers have clear reason to celebrate. More than 343,000 Americans with disabilities got new jobs last year, a fourfold improvement in job gains compared to the previous year.

    To mark this celebration, President Donald J. Trump issued a statement affirming his Administration’s “support for all the employers who hire Americans with disabilities, providing opportunities for success. It is important that all our Nation’s job seekers and creators are both empowered and motivated to partake in our booming economy, and apply their unique talents and skills to the growing workforce.”

    The disability community is the only minority anyone can join at any time due to accident, illness or injury. According to data compiled by the Workplace Initiative, fully 20 percent of workers will experience a disability lasting a year or more during their professional lives, a rate that accelerates as workers age.

    Steve Bartlett, RespectAbility Chair, former U.S. Congressman and principal author of the ADA

    He added, “We recognize the achievements of Americans with disabilities whose contributions in the workforce help ensure the strength of our Nation. We also renew our commitment to creating an environment of opportunity for all Americans and educating people about disability employment issues.”

    Expanding employment opportunities is nonpartisan, as both Democrats and Republicans are quick to recognize the abilities of what people with disabilities can accomplish. So far this year, 33 Governors have already shown their support through public proclamations, executive orders and press statements. These include:

    Governor State Link
    Gov. Kay Ivey Alabama https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-alabama/
    Gov. Bill Walker Alaska https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-alaska/
    Gov. Doug Ducey Arizona https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-arizona/
    Gov. Asa Hutchinson Arkansas https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-arkansas/
    Gov. John Hickenlooper Colorado https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-colorado/
    Gov. John Carney Delaware https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-delaware/
    Gov. Nathan Deal Georgia https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-georgia/
    Gov. David Ige Hawaii https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-hawaii/
    Gov. Bruce Rauner Illinois https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-illinois/
    Gov. Jeff Colyer Kansas https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-kansas/
    Gov. John Bel Edwards Louisiana https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-louisiana/
    Gov. Larry Hogan Maryland https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-maryland/
    Gov. Rick Snyder Michigan https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-michigan/
    Gov. Mark Dayton Minnesota https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-minnesota/
    Gov. Phil Bryant Mississippi https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-mississippi/
    Gov. Michael Parson Missouri https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-missouri/
    Gov. Steve Bullock Montana https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-montana/
    Gov. Brian Sandoval Nevada https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-nevada/
    Gov. Susana Martinez New Mexico https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-new-mexico/
    Gov. Andrew Cuomo New York https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-new-york/
    Gov. John Kasich Ohio https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-ohio/
    Gov. Kate Brown Oregon https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-oregon/
    Gov. Tom Wolf Pennsylvania https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-pennsylvania/
    Gov. Henry McMaster South Carolina https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-south-carolina/
    Gov. Dennis Daugaard South Dakota https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-south-dakota/
    Gov. Bill Haslam Tennessee https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-tennessee/
    Gov. Greg Abbott Texas https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-texas/
    Gov. Ralph Northam Virginia https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-virginia/
    Gov. Jay Inslee Washington https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-washington/
    Gov. Jim Justice West Virginia https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-west-virginia/
    Gov. Scott Walker Wisconsin https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-wisconsin/
    Gov. Matt Mead Wyoming https://www.respectability.org/2018/10/ndeam-wyoming/

    At present, a proclamation also is forthcoming from the Governor of Iowa.

    An annual celebration, NDEAM is dedicated to raising awareness about disability employment issues and celebrating the incredible contributions of people with disabilities. In total, there are more than 20 million working-age Americans living with some form of disability. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.

    Of that number, 7,461,001 have jobs. Nationally, the disability employment rate is 35.9 percent. However, people with disability are twice as likely to have jobs in some states versus others. For example, in North Dakota, more than half of its citizens with disabilities have jobs. Other states with high employment rates for people with disabilities include South Dakota (51.5 percent), Minnesota (48 percent), Alaska (47.9 percent) and Nebraska (47.4 percent). By contrast, barely one-in-four people with disabilities living in states like West Virginia, Alabama and Mississippi have jobs.

    “Our nation was founded on the principle that anyone who works hard should be able to get ahead in life,” said Steve Bartlett, the chair of RespectAbility. Bartlett, a former U.S. Congressman, the former Mayor of Dallas and a principal author of the Americans with Disabilities Act continued, “People with disabilities deserve equal opportunity to earn an income and achieve independence just like anyone else.”

    When people with disabilities are given access to the workforce, both the individual and the employers benefit. People with disabilities can bring new talents and ways of thinking to the table. In addition, they are more likely to be loyal to a company once they are hired. Companies such as JP Morgan Chase, Coca-Cola, UPS, IBM, Starbucks and Walgreens practice inclusive hiring and have had great success. As an employer, it is important to consider these talents and advantages when hiring workers.

    “People with disabilities bring unique characteristics and talents to our country’s economy,” said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President of RespectAbility. “They can work in hospitals and hotels, or apply their talents to develop computer software and website design. There are no limits to what they can do.”

    The impact of employees with disabilities is well-documented and include: higher retention rates, productivity levels, lower absenteeism and lower injury rates. Last year, more than 343,000 people with disabilities entered the nation’s workforce – a 4-fold increase over the previous year. As noted by the Council of Economic Advisors, “No group has felt the benefits of accelerated economic growth more than Americans with a disability.”

    “The disability community is the only minority anyone can join at any time due to accident, illness or injury,” Bartlett added. “According to data compiled by the Workplace Initiative, fully 20 percent of workers will experience a disability lasting a year or more during their professional lives, a rate that accelerates as workers age.”

    Nearly a third of U.S. families have at least one member with a disability and 10 percent have at least one child with a disability, he added.

    Throughout the month of October, RespectAbility and other disability groups will be celebrating the accomplishments of employees with disabilities and inclusive employers. Likewise, RespectAbility also is working with state Governors on proclamations and events that showcase cost-effective programs impacting people with disabilities at the state level. 

    Media Contact:
    Lauren Appelbaum 
    Email: LaurenA@RespectAbility.org

    Source: RespectAbility

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