In our experience here at Vocational Solutions of Henderson County, many companies struggle to support their employees with disabilities. If you want to make your team more inclusive, you can turn to us for advice and resources to support this goal. For many years, we have been finding employment opportunities for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and we know how to assist employers in setting these employees up for success. We encourage you to keep reading to learn a few best practices to follow when offering jobs for people with disabilities.
- Research Disability Laws – If you want to start offering more jobs for people with disabilities, we encourage you to carefully read through the text of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and to research the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) first. The ADA makes it illegal to discriminate against employees with disabilities, and the EEOC is responsible for enforcing these regulations. You should be familiar with both before initiating any recruitment projects for disabled employees.
- Partner with Recruitment Organizations – When offering jobs for people with disabilities, it’s wise to work with a recruitment organization like ours to help you find qualified talent. Our team works extensively with adults with disabilities, and you can count on us to direct applicants to your company.
- Research Workplace Accommodations – We also encourage you to research various disability accommodations when offering jobs for people with disabilities. Many disabled people have written about their experiences in the workplace and the strategies they and their employers use to ensure they can remain successful. Learn about things like accessible job forms, specialized software, disability aids (such as communication devices, canes, and screen readers), and flexible scheduling, and be prepared to offer a combination of these accommodations to your new hires.
By following these basic best practices, you can help create a workforce that is more supportive and inclusive of those with disabilities.