U.S. Chamber Summit Highlights Employers’ Efforts to Hire and Retain Individuals with Disabilities

Releases Joint Booklet on Successful Strategies Businesses Can Use to Create an Inclusive Workplace, Marketplace, and Supply Chain

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today hosted a half-day summit with the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) highlighting employers’ efforts to hire and retain individuals with disabilities and releasing a joint booklet that offers strategies for businesses to create a more inclusive workplace, marketplace, and supply chain.

“Many employers are still not aware of the pool of qualified disabled workers, do not know how to reach them, and are concerned about the perceived cost and challenge of providing accommodations,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “Individuals with disabilities make great employees. In fact, employers report that the work ethic of disabled employees has a positive effect on the morale and production of other employees. Without a doubt, the employer community as a whole has made great progress in removing stereotypes and misperceptions and successfully implementing diversity and inclusion strategies.”

While businesses sometimes encounter serious challenges as they seek to implement inclusion strategies, many employers have overcome these hurdles with robust and creative practices. Today’s summit was an opportunity to highlight those successful practices.

“The US Business Leadership Network® is delighted to collaborate with the U.S. Chamber to present this exchange of corporate strategies that will benefit small, medium and large businesses as they develop or expand their diversity initiatives to include people with disabilities in the workforce, market place and supply chain,” said Jill Houghton, acting executive director of the USBLN®.

The Chamber and USBLN® released a joint booklet entitled, “Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion,” which highlights successful strategies that can be used by businesses of all sizes to create a more inclusive workplace, marketplace, and supply chain. Real-life examples, such as those outlined in the booklet, are important to help businesses realize the wide range of opportunities available and the potential for replicating success. The companies and leaders featured in the publication provide valuable insights on the successes they have realized through the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of their corporate enterprises as well as in their marketing. In addition to these effective strategies, an assessment is included as a tool to initiate or enhance employers’ disability-friendly corporate practices.

“The reality is that in the years to come, we face a significant worker shortage, and hiring disabled people won’t be a choice – it will be a requirement,” continued Donohue. “The companies that have the systems, the procedures, and the culture in place to tap the talents and skills of people with disabilities will be the winners in a human resource-scarce environment.”

In addition to several speakers from the business and disability communities, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), provided the historical Congressional perspective on disability issues.

“Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion” is available here: http://www.uschamber.com/reports/leading-practices-disability-inclusion

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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