People with disabilities make up the largest, fastest-growing minority in the United States.  Our annual spending power is estimated at $220 billion.  According to U.S. Census data, more than 32 million Americans have a disability, but just 38 percent of people with disabilities are employed. That’s more than 14 million people with disabilities who are NOT working who want to work. A rule of thumb:  double Minnesota’s unemployment rate and you’ll have the rate for people with disabilities in our state.

Despite these sobering statistics, research shows that managers who supervise employees with disabilities rate them as “good” or “excellent” performers.

A job, a career can be life-changing.  I wouldn’t be who I am today without 30+ years of work experience.  Many “leadership” opportunities occur as part of the work world.  My leadership experiences, including Leadership Twin Cities, happened through my employer.  My transportation advocacy leadership began when I first started working and accessible transportation to and from work was just beginning in the Twin Cities.

Accommodating a person’s disability is less costly than most assume; 70 percent of accommodations cost less than $500. And, for every dollar spent on an ADA accommodation, the employer received between $34 and $40 in benefits, according to the Job Accommodation Network.  My main accommodations at Courage Center today are getting help to unlock my office door and having help filing a few times a year.

So, take some time now to assess how your company is doing and whether or not changes need to be made to recruit and hire more people with disabilities. If there’s a gap, get in touch  with experts at the Minnesota Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), Minnesota Workforce Centers and Courage Center. When the economy rebounds and you’re looking for talented workers, someone with a disability may be just the answer.