WorkWithoutLimits

Putting abilities to work in Massachusetts.

Why Disability Matters to Your Business

A Few Disability Statistics

  • In the United States:
  • 1 in 5 Americans has a disability.
  • 1 in 3 households has a member with a disability.
  • In Massachusetts:
  • Adults with disabilities account for approximately 11% of MA residents.
  • 1 in 9 people in your market, or who is touched by your business has some form of disability.

Definition of Disability

  • Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a person has a disability if she/he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
  • A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, walking, care for oneself, learning or working.

Full Spectrum of Disability

  • Some disabilities are apparent (ex: wheelchair, cane or service animal).
  • Other disabilities may be less apparent or non-apparent (ex: chronic illness, low vision, psychiatric or intellectual disability).

Disclosure

  • Ultimately, disclosure is at the full discretion of the individual. However, supporting an inclusive workplace fosters open and honest dialogue.

Customers with Disabilities

  • Companies can reach as many as 4 out of every 10 consumers with marketing programs that include customers with disabilities and their family members.
  • Customers with disabilities represents a market of goods and services with:
  • $220 billion in discretionary income
  • $1 trillion in aggregate income

Employees with Disabilities

  • Candidates with disabilities provide an expanded, skilled talent pool to combat the looming labor shortage.
  • Hiring people with disabilities allows companies to meet federal contract compliance.
  • As you experienced workers age, their likelihood of acquiring a disability increases.

Employing Persons with Disabilities

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not interfere with your right to hire the best qualified applicant. The ADA does not impose any affirmative action obligations.
  • The ADA simply prohibits employment discrimination.

Employing Persons with Disabilities

  • An individual with a disability must be qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. This means that the applicant or employee must:
  • Satisfy your job requirements; and
  • Be able to perform those tasks that are essential to the job.

Accommodating Workers with Disabilities

  • Employers accommodate workers – with and without disabilities – every day.
  • Accommodations result in multiple benefits including retention of qualified employees, increase in worker productivity, and the elimination of training costs for new employees.
  • For people with disabilities, job accommodations can be vital to their employment, whether they have a pre-existing disability or are returning to work following an injury or illness.
  • Approximately 46% of accommodations cost absolutely nothing, and 45% have a one-time cost, typically around $500.

Disability-Owned Businesses

  • Self-employment rates are highest among individuals with disabilities
  • U.S. Business Leadership Network is developing and launching a Disability Supplier Program to certify disability-owned businesses
  • Will assist corporations to add Disabled Business Enterprises to the supply chain

Become a Disability-Friendly Business

  • People with disabilities impact your business as:
  • customers
  • employees and job candidates
  • vendors

Resources for Business

  • Local
  • Work Without Limits –
  • National
  • Job Accommodations Network –
  • United States Business Leadership Network –

Work Without Limits

Work Without Limits, a Massachusetts Disability Employment Initiative was developed with support from the Massachusetts Medicaid Infrastructure and Comprehensive Employment Opportunities (MI-CEO) grant, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, through a grant to UMass Medical School (CFDA No. 93-768).

For more information on Work Without Limits, please visit