• One in every five Americans has a disability. If this number seems high, consider that "disability" includes hearing and visual impairments, chronic health conditions orthopedic problems and many other conditions. Not all people with disabilities use wheelchairs and many disabilities are invisible.
  
  
• Most accommodations (69%) cost less than $500 and almost 20% cost nothing at all. In addition, companies report an average return of $28.69 in benefits for every dollar invested in accommodations.
  
  
• "Accommodation" does not solely equate to physical accessibility. Accommodations on the job can include modified work schedules, job restructuring, and providing written materials in alternate format, such as in large print or on audio tape.
  
  
• Accommodations also include providing equal opportunity in the application process. Be sure that the place persons apply for your jobs is accessible, and that the application is available in alternate formats, if requested.
  
  
• Detailed job descriptions can be very helpful to a person with a disability in determining, prior to applying for the job, whether they are actually qualified for the job in question. The ADA does not require job descriptions, but good ones should list the essential job functions.
  
  
• Federal and state tax incentives are available to employers who hire people with disabilities. Filing for these credits does not increase your chances of being audited!
  
  
• According to a study conducted in 1995, the biggest barriers to employment for people with disabilities are employers’ fears, prejudices, and lack of knowledge about disabilities. Sometimes, all an employer needs to do is see the person first, not the disability.
  
  
• Many resources are available to provide free assistance to employers in understanding the ADA, locating potential employees with disabilities, and determining and obtaining appropriate accommodations.
  
  
• People with disabilities are ready, willing and able to work. All they need is an opportunity.

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Help Wanted: Diversifying and Strengthening Your Workforce by Hiring People with Disabilities
University of Kansas • Center for Research on Learning • Division of Adult Studies
JR Pearson Hall, Room 517 • Lawrence, KS 66045 • phone (785) 864-4780 • fax (785) 864-5728