#RespectTheAbility campaign spotlights model employers that demonstrate how hiring workers with disabilities benefits the employer, the employee and society
As we celebrate the contributions of workers to our nation’s history and enjoy one last summer weekend, RespectAbility invites you learn about the incredible talents of people with disabilities. We hope you enjoy the amazing success stories captured in our #RespectTheAbility campaign which highlights the benefits companies reap when they hire talented people with disabilities.
“Many companies hire the best talent out there, no matter what package that talent comes in,” said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, president of RespectAbility. “Employers’ focus should be on the abilities an individual brings to the table to better the organization, not any disabilities the individual may have. It is time for all employers to look beyond the disability and understand the true value of these employees.”
The #RespectTheAbility campaign began by celebrating the success of Ernst & Young LLP as a case study and featured a conference call with Lori Golden, Abilities Strategy Leader from Ernst & Young, on “Disabilities to Diverse Abilities: Changing the Workplace Paradigm.” Arthur Young, co-founder of EY, was deaf and exceptionally talented.
Fully 343,483 more people with disabilities joined the American workforce in 2016. This compares to only 87,201 in the previous year. “Fundamentally,” said Philip Kahn-Paul, Policy & Practices Director of RespectAbility, “more and more companies are recognizing innovation, loyalty, and valuable skills employees with disabilities bring to the workplace. While the law has a long way to go to fully support competitive, integrated employment for all people with disabilities, the private sector is being rewarded by investing in talented employees with disabilities. The stories in the #RespectTheAbility campaign reflect on some amazing examples of inclusion and innovation.”
#RespectTheAbility Success Stories:
- Job Openings in Healthcare Market Growing: Employees with Disabilities Help Hospitals Help Patients
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha-La Vista is Prime Example of Progress of Jobs for People with Disabilities
- Em’s Coffee Company: Bringing Independence To Independence, Iowa
- Physical Limitations Don’t Stop the Spece Brothers From Making Their Dreams Come True
- Kwik Trip’s Retail Helper Program a “Blueprint” for Other Companies
- AT&T: Every Voice Matters – Fortune 50 Global Company is Top Employer of People with Disabilities
- If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere: Inclusion at EY
- Youth with disabilities help make government work better
- Young people with disabilities help senior citizens: Provide excellent workforce for the future
- Workers with disabilities help hospitals help patients
- Autistic man on path to become an organic farmer
- IBM: Recruiting Talent with Disabilities, Serving Customers with Disabilities
- Accessibility Through Innovation is Model of Success
- Freddie Mac Enlists Employees on the Autism Spectrum
- Florida Blue Takes Action to Improve Services for Customers With Disabilities
- Booz Allen Hamilton: 2016 Employee of the Year has Hidden Disabilities
- Microsoft: A Commitment to Inclusiveness for Employees with Disabilities
- Disabled Vet Leads Restaurant, Hires Other Vets with Disabilities
- Ernst & Young (EY): Co-Founded by Super-Talent with Disabilities, Now Employs More Than 230,000 People
