Where to Find Employer Tools to Assist with Hiring Persons with Disabilities

One in four adults in the U.S. has a disability, ranging in severity and type — including mobility, cognitive, hearing, vision and other limitations — and many persons with disabilities are seeking out good jobs.

Is your business making an effort to hire talented individuals with disabilities? It might be time to investigate whether your organization is being intentional with its efforts to provide opportunities for people with barriers to employment. Those with disabilities are facing unique obstacles as they search for jobs — including lack of training, lack of transportation, coworker attitudes, etc. — finding a place of employment with innovative solutions and an inclusive environment is imperative to their quality of life. But it’s not just good for the employee, it's good for business. In a recent study, companies with the most inclusive workplaces for employees with disabilities experienced nearly 30% higher revenues and greater economic profits. Dive more into how to support and hire individuals with disabilities here.

Hiring Resources

As an employer, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start when considering hiring talent with disabilities. Finding the right fit for your business can be a long process no matter what the circumstances, but when employing persons with disabilities, the key, according to Jenna Shrove, Senior Director of Strategic Advocacy and Advisor to the Chief Policy Officer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is to focus on what a person can do rather than their limitations. Read through her six tips for employers to think about as they look to build an equitable business, including:

• Knowing the laws
• Working with partner organizations to recruit talent
• Reviewing job descriptions carefully
• Considering workplace accommodations
• Taking advantage of government programs
• Supporting an inclusive culture

Available Tax Credits

When you hire persons with disabilities, your business may be eligible for federal and/or state tax incentives, including the following three tax credits available to employers:

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
• Disabled Access Credit
• Architectural Barrier Removal Tax Deduction

Each of these incentives allows businesses to support those with barriers to employment. Read the WOTC Quick Reference Guide for Employers to understand the benefits of this credit, and learn more about the Disabled Access Credit or the up to $15,000 per year deduction your business could receive for making a facility or public transportation vehicle more accessible here.

Looking for tools to help grow your startup or small business? Visit the Small Business Resources Hub to find the information you need or sign up for Mentor Connection to build relationships with a trusted group of mentors.

Greater Des Moines (DSM) welcomes diverse talent to the region. As one of the fastest growing business communities, inclusion and attracting diverse talent in the workplace is a key strategy of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Learn more here.