AccessibleEmployment.org, National Job Site to Connect Employers with Disabled Workers

Large gap between disabled unemployment rate of 40% compared to national unemployment rate of 4.6%

Trenton, NJ (December 12, 2007) – Today marks the launch of a new national job board dedicated to including disabled employees in today’s workforce. AccessibleEmployment.org is designed to provide employers with one central place to post employment positions and search resumes of qualified disabled candidates. In addition, AccessibleEmployment.org allows potential job candidates to get their resume in front of prospective employers who have made a commitment to including people with disabilities in their job search.

People with disabilities represent the single largest minority group seeking employment in today’s marketplace. Of concern is that the unemployment rate of people with disabilities is ten times greater than the national employment rate. In fact, according to the U. S. Census Bureau, about 30 million Americans between the ages of 16-64 have a disability. Of this number, only 18 million are currently employed. This leaves a 40% unemployment rate within the disability workforce; a strong contrast to the national unemployment rate of 4.6%.

Hiring employees with disabilities can have many myths and misnomers associated with it. The cost of accommodation, added cost to company health plans, job performance, quality and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance have been cited as common concerns. What many employers do not know is that the costs of accommodating a newly hired disabled employee are rather low. According to the Job Accommodation Network, the average cost of workplace accommodations in 2006 was $600 or less.

Moreover, many organizations earn tax credits and experience a savings in health care costs when they hire a disabled employee. More often an employer’s health care costs can be lowered simply because disabled employees do not require the use of their employer’s insurance plans. According to the Social Security Administration, due to recent Medicare changes and Medicaid buy-in programs, many people with disabilities carry their own primary insurance and do not require their employer’s. In addition, according to the U.S. Department of Education, workers with disabilities are rated consistently as average or above average in performance, quality and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance.

Many large and small companies are realizing that hiring disabled employees diversifies, enriches, and enhances the culture of any workplace. AccessibleEmployment.org is a national job board dedicated to including disabled employees in today’s workforce. Twenty-first century employers will require a diverse pool of skilled job candidates to accomplish their goals. This site is dedicated to closing the gap between employers searching for qualified workers and disabled candidates searching for employment.

Editor’s Note: For an interview opportunity with a disability workforce expert, please contact Michael Schneider at (973) 868-1000.