Ohio local businesses discuss the benefits of hiring people with disabilities

From the Lancaster Eagle Gazette in Ohio:

LANCASTER, Ohio -- There is a large dedicated and hard-working local labor force, which county officials say is underutilized.

Many local business owners have chosen to hire workers with disabilities; a move that has benefits for the workers and the companies.

There are 32 people competitively paid and employed by local businesses with job-training assistance provided by the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Dianna Walters, who is the manager of Community Employment Services for Fairfield County DD, coordinates the best match between interested employers and workers.

"Hiring people is expensive. They don't want to constantly go through hiring people over and over again," she said. "This is saving the business owner money in the long run."

Hiring a worker with a disability can have short-term benefits as well. Walters said most businesses are eligible for a 40 percent tax credit for the worker's salary in the first year of employment. She said some studies have suggested that 54 percent of households patronize businesses that feature people with disabilities in their advertisements.

After the initial hire, a job coach is brought in -- at no cost to the business -- to help train the new employee at their job. Walters said during that time the job coach will assist in the job to prevent production from dropping amid training.

Walters emphasized that businesses owners should not keep a worker with disabilities on the job simply out of pity.

"We want people to employ these workers because it makes good business sense, not just because it feels good," she said. "If they can't do the job, we don't want them employed at that job."

She said pre-screening done by the agency is able to match workers with a job they are most capable of doing.

Walters said there are several myths that have scared business owners away from hiring people with disabilities.

Walters said once a worker is hired, job coaching is always available. She said if a business owner wants to promote or change their job duties, a job coach can be brought in -- at no cost -- to help the worker adjust.

She encouraged any business with interest in hiring a person with disabilities to contact Fairfield County DD.

Fairfield Christian Academy employs a worker with disabilities at their preschool center.

Preschool and Child Care Director Erica Neal said the employee at the preschool helps prepare and distribute snacks, supervises children and helps students with their homework.

Neal said the kids have a great relationship with the worker -- Ben -- and often ask with interest when he isn't there.

"I think the earlier you can educate children of acceptance of others, the better off we are," she said.

She said there were some challenges at the beginning, including explaining necessary rules from the Ohio Department of Education.

"There were some times when we had to give him a direction more than once, but that's typical even with people without special needs," Neal said.

Neal created a checklist to help him understand the some of rules. The checklist is now used by all new staff members, regardless of any disability.

Tammi Jo's Cafe and Catering co-owner Tammi Neighbor said they have employed Brian (pictured), who has a disability, for about a year.

"They had job coaches work with him about the first two weeks and then after that he got into a rhythm and flow," she said. "He does a fantastic job."

Neighbor said Brian is like any other worker at the restaurant and is a big Cleveland Browns fan. She said she would encourage other business owners to hire workers with disabilities.

"You have someone who is always on time, does the job they are supposed to do," she said. "What else do you want in a worker?"

She said she is constantly impressed by Brian and hopes stereotypes and myths about people with disabilities continue to be debunked.

"People think that because someone is mentally disabled that they are not capable of doing anything -- they definitely are," she said.