October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).  During the month of October, Freedom Friday will highlight “Business Strategies that Work.”

The disability community represents the third largest market segment in the United States (54 million strong).  By identifying, adopting, and refining effective and meaningful employment practices that welcome people with disabilities, you too can benefit from having a vibrant, diverse workforce.

To hire and retain some individuals with disabilities, employers may need to provide “reasonable accommodations” in order for the employee to perform the essential functions of a job. According to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), more than half of all accommodations cost nothing. Some examples of reasonable accommodations are: work site accessibility, job restructuring, modified work schedules and leave, modified policies, and equipment and services.  Employers can contact JAN or Freedom Resource Center to receive confidential and free advice and technical assistance on workplace accommodations.

Next Friday, Freedom Friday will look at employment outreach and recruitment.

Adapted from:  http://www.dol.gov/odep/pdf/BusinessStrategiesThatWork.pdf