making qualified connections to job seekers with disabilities us business leadership network 12th...

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

US Business Leadership Network 12th Annual Conference

“Connecting the Dots: Business Solutions” September 15-18, 2009

Careers & Community for People with Disabilities

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• Introductions

– Thomas Capato• CEO, GettingHired.com

– Neil Jacobson• CEO, Abilicorp

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• The employment participation gap

• Employment participation rates– General population: 59.8%– People with disabilities: 19.5%

» (Source: July 2009 Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• The environment faced by employers– Short term challenges. – The longer term and the need to stay

competitive for the future• General shortages as baby boomers retire• Critical shortages in skilled areas

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• The environment faced by employers– Uncertainty about how to deal with

employees with disabilities and resources available to help

– Uncertainty about what they are required to do under the law

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• Bottom line: People with disabilities comprise only 3.7% of US workforce,in comparison to 11.5% of the general population.

» (Source: July 2009 Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• ODEP’s November 2008 Survey of Employer Perspectives on the Employment of People with Disabilities

– Design of Survey

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• ODEP’s November 2008 Survey of Employer Perspectives on the Employment of People with Disabilities

– Issues examined• Recruiting • Hiring • Advancement • Retention• Knowledge of Resources Available

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• ODEP’s November 2008 Survey of Employer Perspectives on the Employment of People with Disabilities

– Employer Challenges and Concerns– Strategies

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• Hiring Challenge: The belief that the nature of the work was such that it could not be effectively performed by a person with a disability.

• Hiring Concern: The belief that workers with disabilities lack the necessary skills and experience.

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– Solution:• Identify the necessary qualifications for the job in

the job description.• Identify the skills and experience of the applicant

in the job seeker’s profile.• Provide a technology that effectively identifies

matches between the two.– RightMatch™

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– Solution: • Provide a resource to job seekers to assess hard

skills and identify training needs.– Abilicorp– Goodwill Industries– Easter Seals

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• Hiring Challenge: Not knowing how much workplace accommodations would cost.

• Hiring Concern: The perception that it costs more to employ workers with disabilities.

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– Solution:• Provide an easy to use directory of service

providers that employers can search to find answers and advice on workplace accommodations products, services and costs.– GettingHired.com– Job Accommodation Network– National Resource Directory– Employer Assistance & Resource Network (EARN)

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• Hiring Challenge: The inability to find qualified workers with disabilities.

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– Hiring Strategy: Using a specialized recruiting source

• GettingHired.com• AbilityLinks.org• Accessible Employment• COSD• Disaboom

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• Retention Challenge: Lack of advancement potential.

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– Retention and Advancement Strategy: Mentoring.

• Abilicorp• AAPD, Disability Mentoring Day

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

• The facts– Absenteeism– Cost of accommodations– Employee loyalty– Demographics of People with Disabilities

seeking employment• College educated• Highly skilled• Managerial experience

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– A bit more about GettingHired.com and Abilicorp

• GettingHired.com – Careers & Community for People with Disabilities

– Social Networking– Career Services Tools– Job Opportunities

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– A bit more about GettingHired.com and Abilicorp

• Abilicorp, 4 pillars– Skills assessment and on-going training– Personal Advisors (Mentors)– Benefits Counseling– Assistive Technology assessment and procurement

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– Questions?

Making Qualified Connections toJob Seekers with Disabilities

– Thank You.