American employers and HR administration professionals are becoming more confident in the abilities of people who are disabled, according to a recent study by employment resource provider AbilityOne.
The study surveyed 1,000 individuals about their attitudes toward blind and disabled workers. Sixty-four percent of respondents said they were very comfortable with their business hiring a person who is blind or severely disabled. Nearly 90 percent said they were comfortable in these workers' abilities to create quality products for the government.
There are many benefits for organizations that hire physically or mentally disabled employees, including tax breaks. Turnover among these workers is very low, according to Disabled World, and diversity of any kind boosts workforce enginuity.
However, only 38 percent of people surveyed were aware of the hiring resources available to these workers. In addition, the employment rate for working-age disabled people is significantly higher than the average, and only 32 percent of this population participates in the labor force.
"Awareness and education are fundamental precursors to shifting the employment figures for these highly capable yet chronically underemployed individuals in a positive and meaningful way," said J. Anthony "Tony" Poleo, chairperson, for the U.S. sector of the AbilityOne Commission
HR services can help companies create partnerships with disability employment groups and train managers and supervisors how to work with someone who is blind or has an impairment.
