1 Practical Approaches for Workplace Integration - What Employers Can Do to Help and Hire Debra Perry Senior Specialist in Vocational Rehabilitation International Labour Office (ILO)

2 Why help? Reduce economic drain Develop all human resources Design service that meet your needs Learn more about disability Good public relations Human rights and international standards

3 R168 Specific Guidance for Employers’ Organizations Advise members about –VR services –Work adjustments etc. –The impact of production methods Cooperate with related bodies Promote participation of disabled workers on shop floor Propose policies and guidelines related to disability

4 Why hire? All of the above, plus Find the best employees Reduce costs (e.g. recruitment, training, turnover) Abide by the law Take advantage of incentives Build employee morale Demonstrate fairness and positive business traits Diversity is good for business

5 The Dupont Study ( ) Safety Attendance Job Performance Disabled workers are comparable to or better than non- disabled employees with regard to:

6 Pre-Employment Assistance Educate Yourself 0Get to know disabled people 0Participate in disability awareness training 0Review labour laws and VR policies 0Review Codes of Practice and other publications 0Visit organizations of and for disabled persons, schools, etc. 0Learn about disability and how to relate to disabled people

7 Get Involved Provide on-the-job training and job try-outs Provide lectures, advice or mock interviews Participate in partnerships Assist in developing market-driven training Participate on boards Provide internships, work experience and on-the-job assessments Provide workplace tours

8 Employers: Practical Approaches at Enterprise Level Develop a workplace policy Remove architectural and communication barriers Provide disability awareness training for managers and staff Encourage disabled persons to apply Make work adjustments

9 Work Adjustments Any change to the work environment, job or work practice that makes it possible for a worker with disability to perform the job or perform it more effectively.

10 Examples of Work Adjustments (1) Making the facility accessible (e.g., adding a ramp, improved signage) Restructuring a job (e.g., giving a marginal function to another staff member) Altering when or how a job is performed (e.g., completing a task sitting instead of standing) Offering a different work schedule (e.g., different work hours to access transportation)

11 Examples of Work Adjustments (2) Obtaining or modifying equipment or devices Providing special support measures (e.g., additional training time for slow learner) Reassigning a worker to a new or vacant job (e.g., an injured worker to a less physically demanding job) Offering different modes of communication (e.g., writing or demonstrating for the deaf, or providing braille labels or better signage for the visually impaired)

12 The Type of Adjustment Depends on: The individual The nature of the disability The job demands and requirements The work environment

13 Disables people often face difficulties like: Getting to work and getting to work on time (Transport) Getting inside and moving around the workplace (Physical Accessibilty) Using equipment tools and machinery necessary to perform work Communicating with supervisors, co-workers, and clients Fitting in and making friends

14 Cost-Benefit of Adjustments No or negligible costs for many E.g. Sears and Roebucks, which hires 20,000 disabled people found that 97% of adjustments cost little or no money ( ) Many adjustments can benefit other employees or customers (e.g. ramps, better signage, uncluttered corridors) Some governments offer financial or tax incentives

15 Getting Help 1. Publications 2. Internet Sites 3. Organizations of and for disabled persons 4. Government personnel 5. Consultants and experts 6. Disabled persons and employees

16 Role in Promoting Self-Employment Help identify self-employment opportunities Review business plans Assist government workers who help disabled entrepreneurs Advocate for accessible marketplaces, etc. Serve as mentors to disabled entrepreneurs Provide contracts/work to disabled entrepreneurs Purchase products and services from disabled persons