Reasons to Recruit People with Disabilities
Business Tax Credits and Reduced Labor Costs
Success Stories

Reasons to Recruit People with Disabilities

There are many reasons to recruit individuals with disabilities. In many cases research has shown that employers save money and time by hiring individuals with disabilities. Some benefits employers enjoy by recruiting people with disabilities are listed below.

• Business Bottom Line $$$ - Finding and keeping good workers are one of the keys to your business' success.
• Untapped Labor Market - Employers often overlook people with disabilities. These workers are one of the largest groups looking for jobs in today's market.
• Reduce Labor Costs - Companies report that employees with disabilities have better retention rates, reducing the high cost of turnover (Unger, 2002).
• Reduce Recruiting Costs - Recruiting people with disabilities can be done through nonprofit sources. American Airlines calculated a savings of 20% in recruiting costs by utilizing these nonprofit sources (Business for Social Responsibility, 2001).
• Develop your Equal Employment Opportunity Program - Hiring people with disabilities increases workforce diversity.
• Untapped Customer Base - Employees with disabilities may be able to assist you with a marketing strategy to tap into new customers: consumers with disabilities.
• Save Money Your business may qualify for tax incentives and tax deductions when hiring a person with a disability.

Worksupport.com
This website is managed and supported by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention. It provides a gateway to information, resources, and services for the employment of people with disabilities. The site also includes a guide for recruiting people with disabilities. Learn about different types of recruitment strategies along with information on where to recruit.

ADA and IT Technical Assistance Centers
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has established ten regional centers to provide information, training, and technical assistance for employers, people with disabilities, and others with responsibilities under the ADA. These centers are called ADA and IT Technical Assistance Centers. These centers work with local businesses and other professional networks to provide employment and resources for both employers and employees with disabilities. Use this site to help you to find your local center.

U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, publishes a guide for business leaders to assist them in hiring people with disabilities. The guide, "Disability Employment 101" includes information on finding qualified workers with disabilities. Learn how to put disability and employment research into practice and what other businesses have done to successfully integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce.

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Business Tax Credits and Reduced Labor Costs

Hiring someone with a disability can actually save you money. There are four incentives for businesses that hire someone with a disability.

1. Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction, Barrier Removal - A business of any size can use this deduction for the removal of architectural or transportation barriers.
2. Small Business Tax Credit, Disabled Access Credit - Small businesses may qualify for an annual tax credit by making their businesses accessible to persons with disabilities.
3. Work Opportunities Tax Credit (WOTC) - Provides a tax credit for employers who hire from certain targeted groups, including people with disabilities.

See the following links for information and application procedures.

Tax Incentives and Financial Assistance Available to Employer
This publication from the U.S Department of Justice provides information for small business employers about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and associated tax benefits.

Business Tax Credits and Deduction for Employment of People with Disabilities
This website is managed and supported by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention. It provides a gateway to information, resources, and services for the employment of people with disabilities. A fact sheet describes three tax incentives available to help employers cover accommodation costs for employees and/or customers with disabilities.

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Success Stories

"The focus on hiring qualified employees with disabilities is, in fact, good for business. The return on investment to SunTrust can be measured in several ways: One, it helps in our diversity initiatives, building a strong workforce; two, it helps us to develop products and services, expanding our customer base; and three, it enables us to reach out to our entire community. It's good for our shareholders and it's good for business."

C.T. Hill, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer SunTrust MidAtlantic

Read what other employers are saying:

Federal Government
Microsoft Corporation
Bender Consulting Services
National Organization on Disability
Various companies

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