In Brief:

Only 37% of working-age Americans with disabilities are employed, highlighting the need for inclusive hiring.
Candleworks by ACLD provides meaningful employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Accommodations for employees with disabilities often cost little, and employers may be eligible for tax credits.
Inclusive workplaces foster higher morale, retention, productivity, and reflect a commitment to accessibility and acceptance.

Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) reminds us that an inclusive workforce is both possible and necessary. For the millions of Americans with disabilities currently employed, having a job is much more than a paycheck. A job represents the ability to contribute to society and have a life of fulfillment, independence and purpose.

The fact is that only about 37% of working-age people with disabilities are employed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Today, job seekers with disabilities are turned away before they get through the door. This is in part due to some business leaders believing that hiring a person with disabilities will come at a cost. However, in most cases, the benefit far outweighs the cost. As the leader of an organization that supports more than 350 people through a Vocational and Supported Employment Services, and also employs 46 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across various roles, I know the positive impact is much greater.

People with IDD bring a wealth of skills, experiences and unique perspectives to the workplace. They embody the very qualities employers’ value most: Problem-solving, independence, adaptability, loyalty and resilience. They have spent their entire lives navigating a world not designed for them. They overcome this challenge with persistence giving them strength that cannot be taught, only lived.

It is a privilege to watch employees working and thriving at Candleworks by ACLD, a business we launched in 2022 to create job opportunities. Candleworks makes hand-poured candles, wax melts and diffusers. Among our first employees was Frank, who quickly showed a talent for candle making. At first, he was quiet and reserved, but he steadily built his skills and confidence. I often saw him working diligently in the shop. He was focused, productive and increasingly engaged. Over time, he experimented with scents, shared ideas and eventually leading tours. Last year, he was promoted to lead production assistant, and recently he filmed content for Candleworks’ social media, affectionately called “#FrankCam.”

This October, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Candleworks will launch Frank’s own creation: A Pumpkin Pie candle. His journey is an example of when given the chance, individuals of all abilities can shine. This is an important example of how providing a job can have a profound impact.

In terms of the cost for hiring and making accommodations for a person with IDD, it is lower than expected. Over the last several years, the Job Accommodation Network, (JAN) funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, has been conducting research on the cost to employers for hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. Of those employers surveyed, 61% stated the accommodations needed cost nothing; 33% reported that the accommodations were a one-time expense, with a median of $300. Just 6% stated that the accommodation resulted in an annual median cost of $2,400 for the company.

Employers who hire any person who has consistently faced barriers to employment may be eligible to receive the Work Opportunity Tax Credit with a maximum credit of $2,400.

Being an inclusive employer creates advantages far greater than any tax credit. This approach demonstrates to current and perspective employees that the organization fosters a work environment rooted in inclusion, accessibility and acceptance. This strengthens internal morale, which leads to a boost in retention and even production. The theme for NDEAM this October is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

To support NDEAM this month, I encourage business owners to explore this untapped workforce and see the ways they will benefit from hiring a person with disabilities.

 

Robert Ciatto is president/CEO of Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) in Bethpage.