EMPLOYER RESOURCES FOR HIRING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES  

With the rapidly changing demographics of labor sources , employers are continually in need of skilled workers. According to the National Organization on Disability, only 32% of Americans with disabilities aged 18 to 64 are working, though two-thirds of those unemployed would prefer to enter the workforce.

Many times the fear of providing accommodations, liability, and stereotypes discourages employers from accessing the disability community to meet labor needs. The good news is that there exists a wealth of resources and incentives to encourage and assist employers with recruiting, hiring, and retaining workers who have a disability.

EMPLOYER TAX INCENTIVES

The IRS and the State of Tennessee both provide tax incentives for hiring people with disabilities

·         Disabled Access Tax Credit- Form 8826

·         Architectural and Transportation Tax Deduction- IRS Code Section 190

·         Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)- IRS Certification Form 8850 and ETA Form 9061 (Both of these forms must be sent in when the employee is first hired click here for more information on claiming the WOCT)

·         Job Tax Credit For New Jobs Filled By Persons With Disabilities (State of TN) The taxpayer must file a plan with the Commissioner of Revenue on or before the last day of the fiscal year in which the employment begins and must state the number of persons with disabilities newly employed.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Many workers with disabilities need no accommodation, and many more of the accommodations are free of cost. Some accommodations can be as simple as rearranging furniture or allowing for a flexible schedule. While it is sometimes necessary to provide accommodations that incur an expense, according to the Job Accommodation Network, the average cost of a workplace accommodation in 2006 was $600 or less.

Disability Employment 101

Guide funded by The US Department of Education, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to acquaint business leaders with programs and resources available to assist them in hiring people with disabilities.
Middle Tennessee Technology Access Center

Job Accommodation Network

Information portal for employers looking to hire or accommodate people with disabilities in the workplace

Microsoft Accessibility

Discover accessibility settings that are already on your PC, and make your computer more comfortable, and easier to see, hear, and use. Provides solutions according to type of disability, different technology available, and examples of accommodations in specific business settings.

OTHER RESOURCES

Disability Program Navigator Initiative

Sarah Yandell Disability Program Navigator LWIA 9
(615) 862-8890 ext. 77432
sarah.yandell@nashville.gov

This Initiative focuses on developing new and ongoing partnerships to achieve seamless, comprehensive, and integrated access to services, creating systemic change, and expanding the workforce development system's capacity to serve customers with disabilities and employers. The Disability Program Navigator for LWIA 9 is located at the Nashville Career Advancement Center. The Navigator is available to provide information regarding recruiting, hiring, and retaining workers who have a disability.

Office of Disability Employment

"The Office of Disability Employment Policy provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy and practice affecting the employment of people with disabilities."

National Center on Workforce and Disability

Institute for Community Inclusion

ICI offers training, clinical, and employment services, conducts research, and provides assistance to organizations to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in school, work, and community activities

ForEmployers.com
The web site includes information on hiring, accommodation, technology, legal resources, demographics, and success stories that may aid a business in hiring and retaining people with disabilities.

Worksupport.com
Website with information, resources and research aimed at identifying factors that enhance or inhibit businesses from hiring workers with disabilities.