By Stanley Stith
As a supported employment specialist, I have the opportunity to assist people with disabilities who are seeking employment and to network with companies who are advertising open positions they want to fill.
Unfortunately, sometimes individuals with disabilities are overlooked for positions, despite being qualified. In some instances, it might be because many employers have transitioned from in-person interviews to online interviews since COVID-19, which can make it difficult for someone with a developmental disability to demonstrate their skills, abilities and work ethic.
The opportunity to interview in person can make all the difference. In other cases, there may be a lack of awareness about the value individuals with disabilities bring to a workplace.
Here are some of the qualities that make people with disabilities excellent employees:
- Punctual and hard-working;
- Highly organized and structured;
- Able to work individually or as part of a team ;
- Can be leaders and positive role models for coworkers;
- Dedicated and loyal.
Does that list look familiar? If so, it’s because people with disabilities bring the same assets and qualities to a job as any other perspective employee. Plus, there can be tax benefits for businesses who employ individuals with disabilities.
That’s a win-win situation! In this job market with recruitment and retention so challenging, it would be a shame for an employer to miss out on a great addition to their team simply because of misconceptions or because they don’t offer an interview option that allows someone to showcase their strengths.
Let’s give a big thank-you to companies that support and encourage hiring people with disabilities and continue educating more employers and businesses about the great work they can do when given the opportunity. If we do that, we are trending in the right direction.
Stanley Stitch is a supported employment specialist at Jewish Community Services. JCS provides programs and services for people of all ages and backgrounds, helping them achieve their goals, enhance their wellbeing, and maximize their independence. To learn more, visit jcsbalt.org or 410-466-9200.
Commemorations of the Holocaust must transcend the past to include concerns about the present and future, writes Menachem Z. Rosensaft.
Someone needed to tell Donald Trump that his appearance at a UFC fight over the weekend was not a good look, writes Michael Olesker.
Journalists bear a responsibility to go beyond the headlines and social media posts to understand the past and present, writes New York University student Lucia Alonso.
The Trump administration's invoking of religion is reminiscent of the words and actions of one of history's most brutal Crusaders, writes Michael Olesker.