Words by Smiley Team
Right now, it might be difficult to find qualified staff – especially in a tight labor market. But rather than leaving vacancies vacant, more business owners are including persons with disabilities in their hiring pool – and they're reaping important benefits from this, as well as acquiring competent and dedicated employees.
Small firms have a hard time attracting top people since they can't compete on pay and benefits with larger corporations. When they broaden their hiring search to include persons with disabilities, they frequently come across smart, qualified candidates who have been ignored by others.
Sozo Trading, a thrift store in Birmingham, AL, has partnered with Workshop Empowerment, Inc (WE)., a Birmingham-based organization focused on partnering with businesses to pair people who have disabilities with jobs in the community.
[Read More Accessibility Manifesto To Help Businesses Build Inclusive Companies]
The students participating in this program are in their last two years of high school and preparing for their time in the workforce, learning skills like teamwork and the value of a positive attitude.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, more than 16% of people with disabilities have at least a bachelor's degree, and many of them are unable to find jobs owing to discrimination or misunderstanding about their capacity to contribute in the workplace.
Hiring people with impairments helps you to snag top talent and develop their skills for their own and your own benefit.
Few organizations promote to or connect with this demographic, which presents opportunities for small businesses. Hiring persons with disabilities is a strategic advantage since it raises awareness of a firm and the products or services they sell within this community. Not only will they be able to take a piece of this discretionary spending, but family members and friends of people with disabilities will be more likely to patronize their establishment.
This partnership has allowed these students to learn skills that they may not have been able to gain going out on their own into the workforce.
J.T Williamson, transition program manager at WE, told CBS 42 news, “on a deeper level, they’re learning about all the little things that it takes to be successful on the job. From getting up in the morning and getting to work on time, communicating with others, working as a team and also maintaining positive attitudes about work.”
If this sounds like a program that would benefit you or someone you know, go to Workshops Empowerment Inc.'s website at weincal.org.
