The American Disabilities Act (ADA) was put into place to allow those with disabilities the same protection from discrimination under Equal Employment Opportunity. When most people think of ADA, an image of wheelchair accessibility comes to mind. There is much more that goes into becoming an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities.
Vincent Scaramuzzo, President, Ed-Exec, Inc.
An Inclusive Culture Will Attract Untapped Talent Sources
People with disabilities have an unemployment rate of approximately 50%. Those who are employed are more likely to be in lesser paid positions than those without a limitation. Hiring people with disabilities is not only the right thing to do, but it is also a very strategic hiring practice for many reasons.
An estimated 10-15% of the population has some disability, apparent or transparent. Many of these people are highly educated and very talented and is a very sizable group of untapped talent that can bring new perspectives and innovation to your organization. The contributions of those with differing abilities can radically transform not only your company culture, but your entire image and branding.
One of the most concerns with hiring someone with a disability is complying with the necessary accommodations. Not all people with a disability are in wheelchairs. Accommodations may be as simple as provisions for a service animal or specific hardware or software for someone who is visually or hearing impaired.
Perhaps the best accommodation an organization can make is having the conversation early in the hiring process. Hiring managers may feel awkward about asking about a person’s disability that it becomes the elephant in the room. Many people with disabilities would rather have an open conversation about what they need to be successful in their new role.
Physical accommodations are only part of the inclusion puzzle. A genuinely inclusive workplace ensures that all aspects of the employee are considered, including healthcare. Providing healthcare options that will help cover the costs of durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, prosthetics, hearing aids, etc. shows that you value the health and well-being of all your team members. If you have team members with service animals, have an option for pet insurance.
Creating a culture of inclusion for those of all abilities includes both physical and lifestyle accommodations. By fostering this type of environment, you will not only tap into a large pool of top talent, but also create a more diverse workplace, one that has better retention, and is highly innovative.
*Not all articles are original works of Vincent Scaramuzzo or Ed-Exec, Inc.*
Vincent Scaramuzzo is the President of Ed-Exec, Inc. A leading Education Executive Search Firm. He is also a contributing author to various education publications regarding education recruiting. As a specialist in the education field for over a decade, Scaramuzzo works nationally. He can be contacted at vincent@ed-exec.com 860-781-7641.