PSN Issue
Findings of most extensive employer
survey ever on people with disabilities released by U.S. Labor
Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy
Agency also makes
available ‘business case’ on value of employees with disabilities
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of
Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) today released
findings of the most extensive survey in history of employers’ actions
and attitudes toward employing people with disabilities. The
report is available at www.dol.gov/odep <http://www.dol.gov/odep>
.
CESSI,
a division of Axiom Resource Management Inc., conducted the survey of
3,797 companies, which statistically represent more than 2.4 million
companies nationwide. This survey found that a majority of
large businesses are hiring people with disabilities and discovering
that costs for accommodations differ very little from those for the
general employee population. Additionally, the survey showed
that once an employer hires one person with a disability, it is much
more likely that employer will hire other people with disabilities.
ODEP Assistant Secretary Neil Romano hailed the report.
“This research shows us the pathway for workers with disabilities to
enter and succeed in the workplace,” he said. “Employers
consistently discover that hiring and retaining people with
disabilities helps their bottom line, and our efforts at the Department
of Labor to educate businesses on this fact are paying off for workers.”
The survey does provide some disappointing news in that it
reveals some resistance among businesses to viewing people with
disabilities as able to advance up the corporate ladder.
“While in many cases the front door has begun to open for
people with disabilities seeking employment, unfortunately, all too
often a glass ceiling still keeps these valuable employees in lower
level positions,” Romano commented.
In partnership with The Conference Board Inc., ODEP will
present major findings of this report via webcast on Feb. 18 from 11
a.m. to noon EST during the program “Are New Recruits Ready to Work?”
This webcast will be open to the public and is part of the
larger series “Maximizing Human Capital: Employees with Disabilities.”
To register, contact The Conference Board at 212-339-0345.
In related news, ODEP has articulated a “business case,”
or comprehensive feedback from employers on the value of employees with
disabilities, which is available on the agency’s Employer Assistance
and Recruiting Network (EARN) Web site at
www.earnworks.com/businesscase <http://www.earnworks.com/businesscase>
. The business case, as supported by research, is intended to
facilitate a business-to-business dialogue in six areas:
return on investment, human capital, innovation, marketing,
diversity and social responsibility. The Web page includes
links to resources at the federal, state and local government levels,
including resources specifically for veterans.
ODEP is leading a 21st century federal response to the
historic underemployment of people with disabilities. In
collaboration with other government agencies, public and private
employers, and additional stakeholders, ODEP facilitates the
development and implementation of innovative policies and practices
necessary to achieve a fully inclusive workplace.
For more than 90 years, The Conference Board has created
and disseminated knowledge about management and the marketplace to help
businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society.
The Conference Board is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3)
organization operating as a global independent membership organization
working in the public interest.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov <http://www.dol.gov/> . The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance <http://www.dol.gov/compliance> .
Disclaimer: All information on this site is of a general nature and is furnished for knowledge and understanding only.