The Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD)

GCEPD’s Mission

GCEPD’s Mission

Promote the employment of people with disabilities

GCEPD’s Mission

Produce and provide an environment that strives to include and integrate people with disabilities into the workforce

GCEPD’s Mission

Promote and establish initiatives designed to highlight the benefits of employing people with disabilities

GCEPD’s Current Initiatives

GCEPD’s Current Initiatives

Provide education and awareness on the benefits of hiring qualified candidates with disabilities

GCEPD’s Current Initiatives

Promote and support the activities of local communities throughout the state to enhance the employment of persons with disabilities

GCEPD’s Current Initiatives

Maintain a website of disability resources for both employers and job seekers

Hiring People with Disabilities

Reasons why employers say they don’t hire people with disabilities

66% - Lack of qualified candidates

39% - Not sure how to find qualified candidates

Employment of Americans With Disabilities 2010 Survey

How do Companies Currently Recruit Individuals with Disabilities?

Employee referrals - 70%

Friends or word-of-mouth referrals - 62%

Online job boards - 58%

Non-Profits - 40%

State or federal agencies - 39%

Educational or training institutions - 36%

Temp agencies - 31%

Independent or Private recruiters – 20%

How Can Employers Find

Qualified Employees with

Disabilities?

How Can Employers Find QualifiedEmployees with Disabilities?

Post your jobs in CT DOL’s job bank

• CT JobCentral

Contact one of the following State Agencies • Department of Labor • Bureau of Rehabilitation Services • Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired • Board of Education and Services for the Blind • Department of Veterans Affairs • Department of Mental Health/Addition Services

How Can Employers Find QualifiedEmployees with Disabilities?

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Recruit Recent College Graduates

Recruit Recent College Graduates

Workforce Recruitment Program

In collaboration with the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. DOL, EARN administers the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP).

Workforce Recruitment Program

WRP connects private employers and government agencies to a database of +2,000 pre-screened, qualified college students and recent grads with disabilities seeking summer internships or permanent employment.

Workforce Recruitment Program

Participants come from + 200 U.S. colleges and are selected for the program by professional recruiters following an extensive application and interview process.

Contact the Career Development Center at local colleges.

Hiring Individuals with Disabilities Makes Good Business Sense

Strong human capital strategies to maintain your competitive edge

Expand your talent pool by recruiting candidates with disabilities

Gain access to a skilled and valued workforce

Enhance diversity of your workforce with employees with disabilities

Retain the skills and knowledge of employees who acquire disabilities

Hiring Individuals with Disabilities Makes Good Business Sense

Lower labor costs by leveraging tax benefits

Business Tax Credits and Deductions The IRS provides:

Information and appropriate forms for small businesses to get a tax credit and a tax deduction for all businesses.

The form that employers must complete when filing for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

For more info call: 1-800-829-1040

Capitalize on New Market Opportunities

Mirror the market to attract a wider customer base.

Increase your market share.

Myths vs. Facts on Accommodations

Myths vs. Facts

Myth

Providing accommodations for people with disabilities is expensive.

Fact

% of Employers reported that:

73% - Their employees with disabilities required no accommodation at all.

50% - Accommodations were made at no cost.

42% - A one time accommodation cost less than $600.

Myths vs. Facts

Myth

Employees with disabilities do not stay in jobs long.

Fact

Employers reported that employees with disabilities have better retention rates, thereby reducing the high cost of turnover.

Myths vs. Facts

Myth

Employees with disabilities have poor attendance.

Fact

Employers reported that employees with disabilities have the same absenteeism rate as employees without disabilities.

Additional Disability Resources

Connect-Ability - a statewide grant whose purpose is to identify and remove barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities. Connect-Ability provides tools and technical assistance to employers.

CT BLN - The Connecticut Business Leadership Network is a growing coalition of CT employers that are working together to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

CTYLP - The Connecticut Youth Leadership Project is a program designed to help youth with disabilities realize their leadership potential.

Additional Disability Resources

JAN - The Job Accommodation Network offers employers free, expert and confidential one-on-one guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.

NEAT - Located in Hartford, New England Assistive Technology provides information, services, equipment and devices to persons with disabilities.

EARN - The Employer Assistance and Resource Network is a national organization that supports employers in recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees with disabilities through free consultation, technical assistance, and customized training.

The Governor’s Committee on

Employment of People with Disabilities

Contact Us: 

200 Folly Brook BoulevardWethersfield, CT 06109

(860) 263-6067

http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/gendocs/GCEPD/t-GCEPD.htm