Embracing diversity, accessibility and inclusion in today’s fast-paced business environment is not just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic advantage! An impactful way to build a diverse workplace is by hiring individuals with disabilities. By hiring those with disabilities, a business can gain an intersectional approach creating an unstoppable workforce that fosters a culture of respect, promotes innovation, and prioritizes belonging. In this blog post, we will demonstrate how businesses can adopt more inclusive policies to gain a more diverse employee base and provide resources for those seeking employment. According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities was 7.2%, which is twice the rate for people without disabilities.
Employees with disabilities often develop strong problem-solving skills and creative approaches to overcoming challenges in their everyday lives. This adaptive approach can foster innovation within company teams, allowing for new approaches to old, unsolved problems. In addition, expanding the hiring pool will enable businesses to access a broader range of expertise and skills, creating a more competitive hiring process and a more apt team of employees. Lastly, a diverse team can increase overall morale and influence an environment of mutual respect, support and collaboration.
Here at AccessAbility, we offer workplace diversity and inclusion training programs designed to support employers in creating a more inclusive workspace, where they are informed about the best policies and practices to seamlessly integrate employees with disabilities.
In addition to corporate training programs, we also offer workplace assessments. These assessments help identify the accessibility gaps and provide actionable solutions. By utilizing these assessments, companies can gauge their readiness to integrate employees with disabilities.
Along with training programs and assessments, we also provide employer training for human resource professionals, to ensure an equitable and fair hiring process. This includes anything from inclusive hiring processes to maintaining a disabled workforce. This way all aspects of business reflect inclusive and accessible practices.
While our organization is there to help with your employment needs, we also work alongside other nonprofits to help bridge the gap between resources. Vocational Rehabilitation is one of the most popular options, assisting employers in hiring and training those with disabilities. Another local resource is HireMe SC, a platform where employers can connect with qualified candidates with disabilities, streamlining an equitable hiring process.
SC Works is also available and offers a variety of services for employers and employees such as job training, recruitment prices, and career development resources to aid communities with disabilities. These programs ensure those with disabilities have the tools they need to succeed in a common workplace environment.
By building a more inclusive and accessible workplace, a business can expect a greater return in morale, profit and reputation. By taking small steps and utilizing the resources, a company can quickly learn to create a more inclusive and accessible workplace environment for all employees.
Additional Resources