Employment and Individuals With Disabilities

Posted on by Kylie Muccilli

Why Employment Matters 

Having a job can provide a person with a path toward independence and financial self-sufficiency. It can create a sense of purpose and be a means by which to connect with the community. Employment is associated with fewer behavior problems and better mental health outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities are motivated to work for these reasons just like everyone else. However, statistics show that 80% of individuals with disabilities currently are not in the labor force. 

Employer Perspectives

Findings from an Office of Disability Employment Policy survey show that 53.1% of large companies (>250 employees) employ people with disabilities. Larger companies are more likely to actively recruit people with disabilities than are smaller companies. Businesses that do hire people with disabilities do so for compelling reasons. 

  • Overall satisfaction with job performance
  • To increase a company’s productivity
  • To improve bottom line

Employers report that their employees with disabilities model characteristics they want in all of their employees. Loyalty, gratefulness, dependability, and dedication are among the terms used to describe their employees with disabilities. 

Supported and Customized Employment

Supported employment is a term that refers to competitive employment in community businesses made more successful by individualized assistance from a skilled job coach. The coach may help a person find a job, learn how to do the job, and provide follow-along support to help solve problems that may arise. 

Customized employment refers to a job that is created for an individual based on their unique skills and the company’s needs. Carving a job to incorporate the individual’s strengths may involve a redistribution of job duties from one position to another within the business. Employers have been very creative in carving jobs within their businesses. 

Job Success

To be successful, employees with disabilities must have their individualized support needs taken into consideration. Often, an incorporation of natural supports is all that is necessary. This may mean asking an interested co-worker to provide basic information and guidance to the individual. Employees may need ongoing job support in team work skills, time keeping, work routines, organizing and planning, or conflict resolution. Other areas of support may include assistive technology, job modification, or behavioral training techniques.

A successful employee also possesses an ability to understand his or her own needs and an ability to communicate those needs. To enter the workplace, he or she should be ready to ask for help, ask for clarification, and ask for a break. 

Recruiting Employees With Disabilities 

Recruit college students and recent graduates with disabilities through the Workforce Recruitment Program for internship opportunities. Contact :

  • State Vocational Rehabilitation Office.
  • One Stop Career Centers.
  • Employment Networks

‣ VKC Resources

‣ Local and National Resources

[April 2014]