New Government Guide for Employers: Disability Employment 101

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ("Chamber"), has released a guidebook to help employers hire people with disabilities.

"Disability Employment 101: Learn to Tap your 'HIRE' Potential" was designed to familiarize employers with the programs and resources the DOE and the Chamber have created to help employers diversify their workplaces by hiring people with disabilities.

According to Thomas Donohue, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, people with disabilities represent one of the largest groups looking for employment today in the U.S. - about 9 million individuals. According to predictions, the U.S. is heading for a severe labor shortage in the coming years. Employers will need to seek out nontraditional sources of labor - including people with disabilities - in order to meet demand. This 56-page guidebook was created to help employers tap into that pool of workers. The guidebook includes:

• Lessons and strategies for finding and employing qualified work
• State-by-state contact information for programs and resources
• How to set up work-based learning experiences
• Examples and tips from other U.S. businesses
• Fact sheets and checklists
• National and federal resources and references

In addition, the guidebook includes information on tax credits and deductions available to small- and medium-sized businesses that employ workers with disabilities. These incentives are designed to help employers cover accommodation costs needed to make their workplaces accessible for people with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Center for Workforce Preparation, a nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce jointly developed this publication. To read it, visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/products/employmentguide/. Employers also may order the report by writing to: ED Pubs, Education Publications Center, U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398; by faxing a request to 301-470-1244; or by calling toll-free 1-877-4-ED-PUBS (433-7827) or 1-800-437-0833 (TDD/TTY).