According to The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN), people with disabilities are one of the most prevalent minority groups in the county and are significantly less likely to be employed than those without disabilities.
Now let us consider Joe. Despite having a disability, Joe was given an opportunity to work for his current employer. He has successfully worked for this same company since 1996. Because of the opportunity Joe was given by the company, he now enjoys living independently and comfortably in his own home, maintains his job, bought his own vehicle, pays his own bills, and saves toward his retirement, all without the assistance of public benefits. Joe has been a loyal and well-loved employee for more than 25 years because his company had the foresight to take a chance on hiring him. Thanks to them, Joe was able to benefit, however Joe was not the only one to benefit from their decision to hire someone with a disability. The employer also received benefits that some may not even be aware of. Do you know the benefits of hiring a person with a disability?
It is important for employers to recognize the benefits that come with hiring a person with a disability. The advantages of hiring a person with disabilities:
- You will Increase your loyal workforce– According to a study from DePaul University, people with disabilities perform equally effectively as people without disabilities. The retail and hospitality sectors say that people with a disability stay longer in the job than those without a disability. In all sectors, people with disabilities have fewer absences than those without disabilities.
- You will create diversity in the workplace– You can establish a reputation for being a business that promotes diversity in their workplace. Diversity is good business, putting together people that have different viewpoints and life experiences that will bring together different ideas to solving problems and new ways to be efficient. A diverse team can help you compete in the business marketplace. Once your business has established itself as a diverse workplace, others in the area may be inspired to follow your lead by creating opportunities for employment in their own businesses as well by hiring a person that is often overlooked.
- Job Incentive for businesses– New York State makes it easier for business to hire people with disabilities. Incentives are offered to most businesses. The following are available potential incentives to businesses in NYS who hire a person with a disability:
- Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC)– This federal program, when enacted, is designed to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities and gives direct tax credits to private employers who create job opportunities for qualified people.
- Workers with Disabilities Employment Tax Credit (WETC)– This is a New York State initiative by which employers can receive a NYS tax credit of up to $2,100 for each disabled individual that they hire.
- Disabled Access Credit– The Disabled Access Credit provides a non-refundable credit for small businesses that incur expenditures for the purpose of providing access to persons with disabilities.
- Work Try-Out (WTO)– Work Try-Out can offset many of the costs associated with hiring new employees, and you as the employer, a chance to assess whether the employee’s skills match the job requirements. ACCES-VR can reimburse a business for 100% of an employee’s wages for a limited amount of time, either full or part-time.
- On-The-Job Training (OJT) Program– On-the-Job Training is designed to provide an employer with an incentive to train a qualified candidate. In partnership with ACCES-VR, an employer will train their staff precisely to industry needs, resulting in a reliable and dependable employee.
- Barrier Removal Tax Deduction– The Architectural Barrier Removal Tax Deduction encourages businesses of any size to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the mobility of persons with disabilities and the elderly.
If your company is looking to hire, please keep in mind these benefits to hiring a person with a disability. Make a commitment to diversity. You will be glad you did.
If you would like more information about hiring a person with disability or accessing the above references, contact RCIL at 315-797-4642. P
