Iowa Workforce Access
Ability”, a publication from the Department of Labor’s Office of
Disability Employment Policy
several benefits to
business for including people with
disabilities in their workforce:
employees with disabilities in the workforce creates win-win
situations. Employers access productive, loyal employees with good
attendance records. Employees with
disabilities gain self-esteem and self-sufficiency, a benefit for
everyone in the community.
has identified six elements that contribute to creating a win-win
An employer’s commitment to hire and accommodate people with
disabilities must come from the top and be
communicated clearly and often to all levels of the organization.
Supervisors and managers, who know they have organizational support, can confidently include people with disabilities in their
Employers must recruit people with disabilities for all
positions, including announcements to disability-related organizations
and agencies, and should state that the employer encourages people with
disabilities to apply.
Interviewing and Hiring:
and hiring officials should be trained to comply with federal and state
disability nondiscrimination laws.
During the hiring process employers should clearly identify the
essential functions of all positions and use them as the criteria for
making hiring decisions. Candidates
with known disabilities must be evaluated on the skills, training and
abilities they present, including their ability to perform the essential
functions of the job with reasonable accommodations.
Employers would be prepared to provide reasonable accommodations
for the hiring process to applicants with disabilities, when needed.
Willingness to Make Accommodations:
workplace accommodations enable an employee with a disability to perform
the duties of the job fully and competently.
exist to assist employers with this process, including the employee with
Access to Training:
It is important that all training programs and
materials, including those that prepare employees for advancement, be
available and accessible to all employees.
Awareness and Sensitivity:
Negative or paternalistic attitudes
toward people with disabilities are sometimes present in the
workplace. It is important that employees, supervisors, and managers
receive information and guidance on the myths and stereotypes about
people with disabilities. Accurate
information about the facts and realities can help create a positive atmosphere in which the employee with a
disability can demonstrate his or her abilities.
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