Making Qualified Connections to Job Seekers with Disabilities US Business Leadership Network 12th Annual Conference Connecting the Dots: Business Solutions

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

US Business Leadership Network 12th Annual Conference

“Connecting the Dots: Business Solutions” September 15-18, 2009

Careers & Community for People with Disabilities


• Introductions

– Thomas Capato• CEO, GettingHired.com

– Neil Jacobson• CEO, Abilicorp


• The employment participation gap

• Employment participation rates– General population: 59.8%– People with disabilities: 19.5%

» (Source: July 2009 Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics)


• The environment faced by employers– Short term challenges. – The longer term and the need to stay

competitive for the future• General shortages as baby boomers retire• Critical shortages in skilled areas


• The environment faced by employers– Uncertainty about how to deal with

employees with disabilities and resources available to help

– Uncertainty about what they are required to do under the law


• Bottom line: People with disabilities comprise only 3.7% of US workforce,in comparison to 11.5% of the general population.

» (Source: July 2009 Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics)


• ODEP’s November 2008 Survey of Employer Perspectives on the Employment of People with Disabilities

– Design of Survey



– Issues examined• Recruiting • Hiring • Advancement • Retention• Knowledge of Resources Available



– Employer Challenges and Concerns– Strategies


• Hiring Challenge: The belief that the nature of the work was such that it could not be effectively performed by a person with a disability.

• Hiring Concern: The belief that workers with disabilities lack the necessary skills and experience.


– Solution:• Identify the necessary qualifications for the job in

the job description.• Identify the skills and experience of the applicant

in the job seeker’s profile.• Provide a technology that effectively identifies

matches between the two.– RightMatch™


– Solution: • Provide a resource to job seekers to assess hard

skills and identify training needs.– Abilicorp– Goodwill Industries– Easter Seals


• Hiring Challenge: Not knowing how much workplace accommodations would cost.

• Hiring Concern: The perception that it costs more to employ workers with disabilities.


– Solution:• Provide an easy to use directory of service

providers that employers can search to find answers and advice on workplace accommodations products, services and costs.– GettingHired.com– Job Accommodation Network– National Resource Directory– Employer Assistance & Resource Network (EARN)


• Hiring Challenge: The inability to find qualified workers with disabilities.


– Hiring Strategy: Using a specialized recruiting source

• GettingHired.com• AbilityLinks.org• Accessible Employment• COSD• Disaboom


• Retention Challenge: Lack of advancement potential.


– Retention and Advancement Strategy: Mentoring.

• Abilicorp• AAPD, Disability Mentoring Day


• The facts– Absenteeism– Cost of accommodations– Employee loyalty– Demographics of People with Disabilities

seeking employment• College educated• Highly skilled• Managerial experience


– A bit more about GettingHired.com and Abilicorp

• GettingHired.com – Careers & Community for People with Disabilities

– Social Networking– Career Services Tools– Job Opportunities


– A bit more about GettingHired.com and Abilicorp

• Abilicorp, 4 pillars– Skills assessment and on-going training– Personal Advisors (Mentors)– Benefits Counseling– Assistive Technology assessment and procurement


– Questions?


– Thank You.

Documents

Making Qualified Connections to Job Seekers with Disabilities US Business Leadership Network 12th Annual Conference Connecting the Dots: Business Solutions