The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) supports several initiatives that help employers interested in hiring individuals with disabilities, including:
- The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) is a free, nationwide service that educates employers about effective strategies for recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing people with disabilities. EARN also maintains a list of job posting websites geared toward job seekers with disabilities and a collection of success stories about employers that have made a commitment to disability inclusion.
- The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP) is a free resource that connects private businesses and federal agencies nationwide with qualified job candidates for temporary or permanent positions in a variety of fields. Applicants are highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workforce. Through WRP.jobs, private employers interested in gaining access to these individuals can post permanent and temporary positions. WRP participants can then search and apply for these positions using an employer’s standard application processes.
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free, expert advice on workplace accommodations that may be necessary to assist qualified individuals with disabilities apply for a job and maximize their productivity once onboard.
- Although not a resource for hiring per se, the Campaign for Disability Employment offers a variety of media assets, including video public service announcements, all designed to encourage employers and others to recognize the value and talent people with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. Employers can use these resources in the workplace to help spark conversations about disability issues.
ODEP also offers several fact sheets and other resources to educate employers about effective recruitment and hiring strategies, as well as laws such as Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects the employment rights of people with disabilities. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces the employment provisions of the ADA under Title I.
U.S. Department of Labor Resources on Hiring People with Disabilities
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit
- Tax Incentives for Employers
- Inclusive Internship Programs: A How-to Guide for Employers
- Building an Inclusive Workforce — A Four-Step Reference Guide to Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining Employees with Disabilities
Other Resources on Hiring People with Disabilities
- U.S. Business Leadership Network
- Employer Incentives for Hiring People with Disabilities: Federal Tax Incentives At-A-Glance
- Where Can I Find Qualified Applicants with Disabilities?
- Interviewing Job Candidates with Disabilities
- Information for Employers from the Job Accommodation Network
- Hiring Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities
- Steps Small Businesses Can Take to Recruit and Retain Qualified People with Disabilities
