1.  Find qualified workers (cont.)

A Profitable Hiring Practice
Some employers resist hiring employees with disabilities because of a mistaken belief that workers who are disabled will be less productive and pose greater safety risks than workers who do not have disabilities. Some employers also assume that accommodations that may need to be made for workers who are disabled will be too costly and inconvenient for co-workers. The facts are that hiring workers with disabilities is a profitable practice:

Myth #1: Worker’s compensation and other insurance costs will increase Fact: Both government and private studies report there is no significant effect on insurance costs due to hiring workers with disabilities. In fact, insurance costs commonly decrease from improved safety records. Government studies also confirm that workers who are disabled who have been properly trained and suitably placed are just as safe or safer than any other group of workers

Myth #2: Workers who are disabled are not as productive or dependable Fact: For over 35 years, DuPont has studied the performance of their employees with disabilities. Their findings show that employees with disabilities are safe, productive, and dependable employees. 90% rated average or better in performance 86% rated average or better in attendance 97% rated average or better in safety *Source: "Equal to the Task II", 1990 DuPont Survey of Employment of People with Disabilities

Additionally, there is often a positive influence on co-workers. Many companies report that co-workers of an employee with a disability show improved communication skills, and increased productivity through teamwork.

Myth #3: Job accommodations are too costly and inconvenient for co-workers Fact: A survey of 2,000 businesses found that 81% of accommodations cost less than $500. Many companies report that accommodations are more often a matter of making minor, “common sense” changes that have little or no costs.

Experience also demonstrates that accommodations made for the disabled make life easier for everyone:

• Wider doorways to accommodate wheelchair users also allow for easier movement of desks and heavy equipment between offices.
• automatic door openers benefit anyone with their arms laden with reports, boxes or books
• most non-disabled individuals find it easier to use wheelchair ramps instead of steps

For more information on cost-effective job accommodations, see “disABILITIES At Work”.

Employers that actively seek to make the best use of the talents of all job applicants and employees are more competitive. Hiring people with disabilities has become a strategy for profitability – a new competitive edge in the search for capable workers. It is a strategy that almost any employer, regardless of size or industry, can use and profit from.
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