National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Increasing Awareness and Opportunity

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate America’s workers with disabilities and remind employers about the importance of inclusive hiring practices. At Ohio Valley Goodwill, we’re proud to support individuals with disabilities and recognize the valuable roles they have in our nation’s workforce. For over 100 years, Ohio Valley Goodwill has provided job skills training and employment services to individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. We strongly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to work, not only to earn a living but to be fully included in their community and contribute in meaningful ways.

Goodwill’s Logo

This year is the nation’s 75th observance of NDEAM, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The 2020 theme “” Increasing Awareness and Opportunity “” highlights the importance of educating employers and encouraging them to consider the skills and talents of all workers.

Here are some facts to know about hiring individuals with disabilities:

• Employing individuals with disabilities is not a major added cost to employers. Some employers mistakenly believe that hiring people with disabilites will be expensive. The truth is, for workers with disabilities who need accommodations to perform their jobs, the cost is usually minimal. According to the Job Accommodation Network, most employers report no cost or low cost for accommodating their employees with disabilities. 58% of employers reported the accommodations cost absolutely nothing. 37% of employers reported a one-time cost of just $500. Additionally, tax benefits are available to businesses that hire and retain individuals with disabilities.

• Individuals with disabilities make excellent employees. Employers who hire employees with disabilities report multiple benefits as a result, including improved employee retention, increased worker productivity, and ultimately cost savings due to reduced turnover. Employees with disabilities are eager to work, and their motivation and enthusiasm can be contagious. Many employers report that overall productivity and morale increased for all their employees after hiring individuals with disabilities.
• Hiring employees with disabilities promotes workforce diversity. By expanding and diversifying their qualified applicant pool, employers can find great employees to meet their labor needs. Now more than ever, employers are seeing the value of being inclusive with their hiring practices. Flexible work schedules, work-from-home opportunities, and a willingness to make accommodations benefits all workers, not only those with disabilities.

During National Disability Employment Awareness month and all year round, Ohio Valley Goodwill is dedicated to creating pathways to success for workers with disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati community. Learn more about Ohio Valley Goodwill’s services and programs for individuals with disabilities.

Donate to Goodwill and change a life!

Remember, every time you donate to Goodwill or shop in one of our stores, you’re supporting Goodwill’s mission to change lives through the power of work! Hiring employees with disabilities makes our communities more inclusive and just places to live, work, and play. We invite you to join us in celebrating the value individuals with disabilities bring to the workplace and support Goodwill’s job training and employment opportunities. Read our inspirational Success Stories for great news about individuals who are happily employed in their communities.

If you’re a local employer interested in hiring individuals with disabilities, Goodwill can help. View our helpful resources for employers.