Michigan thrives when people with disabilities are employed!!!

Summary:

Michigan’s economy and communities thrive when people with disabilities are contributing. We encourage policy-makers to support policies that promote employment for people with disabilities in competitive, integrated setting so that our citizens with disabilities achieve economic self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on benefits.

Issues:

  • Seventy percent (70%) of working age individuals with disabilities have expressed the desire to find employment, yet by all measures persons with disabilities are under-employed. 500,000 working age Michigan citizens with disabilities are not working, when 43% have a college education or degree (ACS-Cornell US Census 2014).
  • Businesses need talent. Barriers exist in multiple areas that impede one’s full participation in the workplace. Examples are:
  • Workplace accommodations are needed and most are inexpensive.
  • A lack of in-home personal assistance providers exists. This assistance is critical for many people with disabilities preparing for the workday.
  • An eager employer base that wants to hire people with disabilities, yet need subject-matter experts to assist them. CILs, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons stand ready to make hiring people with disabilities easier for Michigan’s employers.
  • Benefits disincentives: Many people with disabilities are confronted with complex decisions regarding receipt of benefits vs. employment (or a combination of both).
  • Employers need connections to their peer business leaders who have successfully employed qualified workers with disabilities.
  • Employers need disability awareness training to overcome their fears and stereotypes of qualified workers with disabilities.

Recommendations:

  • Support policies which promote persons with disabilities living independent lives by working and contributing to Michigan’s economy.
  • State Government should continue efforts to enhance its own workplace culture and include people with disabilities in its own talent pool.
  • Continue the Governor’s Business to Business Summit on disability employment.
  • Adopt policies that ensure State department and agency collaboration with community based organizations such as Michigan’s CIL’s.
  • Support policies that improve support areas critical to people with disabilities attaining and retaining employment (transportation, housing, skills development, etc.)

Closing:

Michigan will be at its best with persons with disabilities employed and contributing to their local economies. Policies and appropriately allocated resources are needed more Michigan to move closer to this aim.