Why Should Employers Work with DiscoverAbility?
Our participants are eager to become employed and have the proper supports in place to help them transition into a competitive work environment where they can continue to build on their successes and grow within a company. Discover how hiring people with disabilities can benefit your business, including:
- Gaining access to an increased hiring pool
- Positively impacting the retention of existing employees
- ROI – Tax and other financial incentives available (including productivity benefits)
- Increase diversity
- Respond to an aging workforce
- Increased work ethic/dedication
- Enhanced staff morale
- A new look at creativity and problem-solving
- Becoming poised for future preference in Government Contracting
Click here to review additional information regarding hiring individuals with disabilities.
Click here to watch a PSA from “The Campaign for Disability Employment” funded by the Department of Labor.
Workplace Diversity
Workplace diversity creates an inclusive environment that embraces individual differences and provides opportunities for all staff to achieve their full potential. Today, American attitudes are shifting. Business practices are changing toward acceptance and a more tolerant work environment and a rising number of business owners realize that equality and diversity are good for business.
What’s the third-largest market segment in the US? The answer might surprise you. It’s not a particular race, gender, or cleverly named age cohort. It’s people with disabilities. The size of this population — more than 50 million strong — surpasses Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans, as well as Generation X and teens. How can companies harness the power of numbers and use this not only to improve their business but to also provide opportunities for others to join the workforce and improve their societal contributions? The answer is by expanding inclusion and diversity within your organization.
The benefits of workplace inclusion and diversity include problem-solving, innovative thinking, and an increase in creativity, which all lead to:
- Increased productivity
- Competitiveness in local and global markets
- Better understanding of diverse customer base
- Increased profits/return on investments
- Increased team morale
- Positive company image
- Improved retention due to loyal and dedicated staff
- Tax credits (work opportunity tax credit incentive to hire from this targeted group)
One of the most prominent benefits is improved employee recruitment and retention. When staff is encouraged to work in their areas of strength and capability, they are happier, more productive, and are more likely to remain with the organization.
What is On-the-Job Training?
On-the-Job Training (OJT) is an opportunity for a “host employer” to mentor a person with a disability through actual work-site experiences. This allows the OJT participant to gain valuable knowledge, skills and abilities through temporary employment arrangements. These arrangements typically take place over the course of two (2) to four (4) months and can vary based on the employer’s needs, demands of the job and the skillset needed to perform the assigned job duties. As a community rehabilitation provider, DiscoverAbility partners with the Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), to assist DVR participants with obtaining OJT experiences.
Employer Benefits
- Additional staff without payroll costs
- Provide work experience and training for adults, youth and students
- Help experienced workers develop new skills
- Train new employees without onboarding costs
- Workers’ compensation covered by the State of Florida
- No obligation to hire
Partcipant Benefits
- Gain real work experience
- Receive support from a job coach
- Earn a competitive wage while learning
- Experienced workers have opportunities to learn new skills
- Opportunity to try different types of work
Community Benefits
- Create wage earners that return money back to the local economy
- Help develop a skilled workforce for Central Florida
- Create strong, self-sufficient, independent individuals
- Reintegrate people into the workforce
To learn more about the OJT opportunities available to employers through the Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), please visit this webpage.
