Virginia Department of Human Resource Management

Talent Acquisition

Hiring People With Disabilities

Hiring People With Disabilities
Why You Should Hire People With Disabilities

The Commonwealth is missing out on a large untapped resource- people with disabilities! Below are several good reasons why you should strive to hire them:

  • Available - Over 11% of working individuals identify themselves as having a disability
  • Educated - 30% of individuals with disabilities hold college degrees
  • Dedicated -statistically this group has less absenteeism
  • Hard working - are not at all impeded from getting the job done
  • Accommodations -  if needed, cost little to nothing – averaging $500 or less
  • Training time - consistent with the average employee

MAP - Follow these best practices for recruiting/retaining People with Disabilities:

Market your career opportunities or Agency!
  • Get Involved with Disability Inclusion programs and services
  • Provide disability-friendly job postings and interviews
  • Host or attend career fairs or conferences dedicated to people with disabilities
Accommodate and be flexible!
  • Facilitate a disability-friendly workplace culture
  • Evaluate facility, workspace, and website accessibility
  • Promote interactive discussions with candidates and employees regarding accommodation needs
Plan for success!
  • Establish and promote workplace mentoring and job shadowing opportunities
  • Educate and inform managers and employees on processes for requesting and determining accommodations

Recruitment Tools and Resources

icon Job Accommodation Network

The Job Accommodation Network is a service provided by the United States Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. JAN is one of several ODEP technical assistance centers.

Icon for Employee Assistance and Resource Network

A network that assists employers with recruiting, hiring, and retaining people with disabilities.

Icon for Searchable Online Accommodation Resource

A search engine on JAN that allows users to find various accommodation options for people with disabilities in workplace and recreational settings.

warp

A recruitment and referral program that connects public and private sector employers to college students and recent graduates with disabilities through summer or permanent job opportunities.

Virginia Ability

The goal of Virginia Ability is to assist businesses in providing solutions for increasing workforce and marketplace diversity by including people with disabilities.

DHRM Materials

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

FY23 Employment Opportunities Plan Template

FY23 Employment Opportunities Plan Template Instructions

Employment of People with Disabilities Presentation

Resources for Hard of Hearing and Deaf in the Workplace

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