With lowa's
statewide unemployment rate at an historic low (2.7%), one of the most pressing issues
facing Iowa manufacturers today is hiring and retaining qualified employees. Though often
overlooked, people with disabilities are qualified for a variety of professional,
technical, and entry level positions. Your company may have openings that people with
disabilities would be qualified to fill. By employing workers with disabilities, welfare
costs fall and employers provide a hand up, instead of a handout.
| "We . . . share a common
commitment to responsible programs aimed at ensuring all people have equal access to the
job markets. Beyond this, we are further challenged to promote diversity.
Included are our friends with physical and mental disabilities—neighbors,
co-workers, and often as not, loved ones and family members." --Len Hadley, CEO, Maytag, at the October 1, 1997, Progress Industries Des Moines
Leadership Breakfast |
About 60% of Iowans with disabilities are unemployed. This represents about
80,000 people of working age. During the next four years, about 21,000 high school
students with disabilities will enter the workforce or continue their education.
Community rehabilitation organizations located around the state are valuable sources
for qualified employees. These organizations help people with disabilities achieve greater
independence and self-sufficiency, provide employers with dedicated employees and provide
assistance integrating individuals with disabilities into the community.
Iowa manufacturers work with community rehabilitation organizations to help them employ
workers with disabilities. Here are some examples:
- Workers with disabilities can work at a manufacturer's site. A floating job coach visits
the work site as a supervisor and trainer.
- The manufacturer can subcontract work to the community rehabilitation organization.
Management functions can be shared and work can be done on site.
- The manufacturer can send work off site to sheltered workshops.
Employers have many questions about hiring employees with disabilities. Here's how Bill
Powell, President & CEO of Progress Industries, a community rehabilitation
organization providing services to Jasper and Polk counties, responded to some common
concerns:
- Concerned about physical changes at the work site to accommodate employees with
disabilities? Almost all work site modifications cost less than $500, and these are
onetime costs.
- Concerned about added administrative and employee benefits costs? Consider
subcontracting the additional human resources functions to the community rehabilitation
organization.
- Concerned that jobs in your company are too complex for people with disabilities who
offer basic work skills? Consider job carving. Break down existing jobs into skill
components, separating tasks requiring basic skills from the more complex ones. Workers
with basic skills can perform the more basic tasks and more highly skilled workers can
focus on the more complex ones.
- Concerned that union contracts will not allow it? Today people with disabilities work in
unionized organizations nationwide.
Here are some initiatives to develop employment opportunities for people with
disabilities:
- On August 1, 1997, Iowa Creative Employment Options (Iowa CEO) began a year-long
research program looking at ways to work with the staffing industry to employ more people
with disabilities. Manpower, Inc., America's largest employer, is the focus of this study.
Atlantic, Mason City, and Rock Valley will participate, as Iowa CEO looks for ways to
increase the capacity of businesses to hire more people with disabilities.
- On October 1, 1997, at Progress Industries' Des Moines Leadership Breakfast, Len Hadley,
CEO of Maytag, challenged central Iowa business leaders to provide 100 new jobs for
persons with disabilities in 1998.
- The Job Accommodation Network provides technical assistance on workplace accommodations
to employers and people with disabilities. Their toll-free number is 800-526-7234.
Today, Iowans with disabilities are qualified to work in a variety of professional,
technical, and managerial positions. Others develop skills on the job, working in computer
data entry, assembly and light manufacturing. Some work as messengers or in mail rooms,
lunchrooms, and corporate libraries. Wherever there is employment, there are opportunities
to employ people with disabilities.
- For examples of how Iowa companies successfully employ persons with disabilities,
contact Pat Steele at Iowa CEO at 515-281-7179.
- For a list of community rehabilitation organizations in your area, check your phone book
or contact Linda Hinton at the Iowa Association of Rehabilitation and Residential
Facilities at 515-270-9495.
- Vocational rehabilitation counselors contact Iowa companies looking for work
opportunities for their clients with disabilities. Check your phone book or contact the
state offices of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Department of
Education, at 515-281-4311.
Now is a good time to hire Iowans with disabilities - if not now, when will there be a
better time? |
