Proven Tips for Attracting Top Talent With Disabilities

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Guest blogger: Sandra Polster

http://hiring.biz/

The labor market is highly competitive, and employers always look for ways to distinguish themselves from others. One of the best ways to do that is to expand your talent pool and attract qualified candidates who may have been overlooked.

People with disabilities can be an untapped talent source, offering skills and perspectives that can benefit any organization. The Bender Bunch discusses some practical ways your company can attract new hires who have disabilities:

 

Developing a Stellar Recruiting Document 

One way to attract new employees who have disabilities is to write an outstanding recruiting document. This document should clearly outline the job requirements and the qualifications the applicant must possess to be considered for the position. It should also discuss potential accommodations or adjustments your organization can make for a person with a disability to successfully perform their job duties. 

Further, make sure your recruitment process is inclusive of people with disabilities — from advertising job openings on disability-friendly websites to ensuring all communication materials are accessible formats. 

 

Cultivating an Inclusive Culture 

It’s essential to create and nurture an inclusive workplace culture where employees with disabilities feel valued, respected, and comfortable expressing themselves. To do this, consider creating policies or programs, like mentoring programs for employees with disabilities or flexible hours that accommodate their needs. 

Hive Learning notes that you should also create opportunities for employees with disabilities to share their experiences through internal newsletters or company blog posts. Or, you could host events that focus on disability rights or awareness (i.e., International Day of Persons With Disabilities).

 

Making Your Website More Accessible 

If you want your business to attract all types of talent, your website must be accessible to everyone. HubSpot suggests making sure people with disabilities can access information about your company easily and quickly. 

One way to accomplish this is to use common assistive technologies like screen readers, text-to-speech software, audio captioning tools, and other technologies that allow individuals with visual impairments to access your site’s information. While you’re at it, make sure all images include alt text so that anyone using screen readers can understand what is being shown in the image clearly.

 

Providing Reasonable Accommodations 

Employers should also provide reasonable accommodations in the workplace so that employees with disabilities can perform their job duties effectively and safely while feeling supported by their employer and colleagues alike. Common accommodations might include providing specialized equipment or making physical changes around the office space, such as widening doorways. 

It’s essential that these accommodations are tailored specifically to each individual's needs. You don’t want anyone feeling discriminated against because of their disability; you want them empowered!

 

Contributing Toward Continuing Education

Offering employees tuition for continuing education is a smart investment as it helps to keep employees up-to-date on the latest skills and knowledge, improves job satisfaction and motivation, increases employee retention, and can lead to increased productivity and a better bottom line for the company. Whether they’re earning a business degree or bachelor of education online, virtual degree programs allow them to learn at their own pace. 

 

Conclusion

Attracting top talent from diverse backgrounds — including those with disabilities — is crucial if you want your organization to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. By following the tips outlined above, including helping fund your employees’ education, you can position your business to build the team of your dreams. Just confirm that any job candidate aligns with your company's values and mission before making a commitment!