Megan O'DonnellThis article discusses how to be a company that encourages inclusivity among the workforce, and shares nine ways to foster the National Disability Employment Awareness Month spirit year round. This past October, the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM2021) reflected on the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s theme: “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.”
Learn how to be a company that encourages inclusivity for employees with disabilities and find resources for employers
Benco Dental is an avid proponent of hiring, retaining, and elevating employees with disabilities. For other employers and dentists seeking hire a diverse workforce and become a company that encourages inclusivity among its workforce, free federal resources exist which are designed to help hire, retain, and advance employees with disabilities. The employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) is a free Federal Government resource that educates employers on the value of hiring, retaining, and advancing people with disabilities. Visit www.AskEARN.org to learn more.
To apply at Benco Dental, visit www.benco.com/careers/.
Join Benco’s nationwide Virtual Job Fair, today, November 10 through Friday, November 12. Select an interview time slot, as they are filling quickly.
* Sign up for a field service tech interview – https://lnkd.in/eJSfKeHd
* Sign up for a distribution center interview – https://lnkd.in/gMtvsG58
Presidential Proclamation commemorates forward progress and discusses plansto advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
In President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s proclamation on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, he reflected on the forward momentum of agencies designed to assist those with disabilities.
“This year, the Office of Disability Employment Policy in the Department of Labor celebrates 20 years of helping advance opportunity for workers with disabilities across the Nation,” stated President Biden.
“As part of its mission, the agency remains at the forefront of emerging challenges in the workplace, such as developing comprehensive resources to ensure that workers grappling with the long-term effects of COVID-19 have access to the rights and resources they are due under disability law — including flexibilities, tools, and accommodations in the workplace.”
President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
The pandemic has presented unique challenges for employers and employees across the country. However, significant changes have been made or are in the process of changing to help employees with disabilities be hired and advanced in their careers. President Biden set in place new initiatives and executive orders designed to enhance the lives of the disabled employees across the nation.
President Biden continued in his proclamation:
“…I have issued Executive Orders to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to bolster career paths and promote economic stability for Americans with disabilities. I have proposed eliminating outdated, discriminatory provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act that allow employers to pay disabled workers less than the minimum wage.
Young people with disabilities in particular must be part of an inclusive economic recovery so that they can find the fulfilling careers, apprenticeships, and futures they deserve in every industry; to that end, we must promote the technologies and tools, as well as the attitudes, that foster welcoming work environments for young Americans. Our Nation’s future will be brighter and more secure when everyone is dealt into the economy we build together.”
For even more resources on how to recruit, train, and advance employees with disabilities, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) website at dol.gov/odep.
9 ways employers can foster National Disability Employment Awareness Month spirit year round in the workplace
Learn how to be a company that encourages inclusivity for employees with disabilities, and find 9 ideas for employers here:
- Gather ideas from your Corporate Disability Employee Resource group
- Host a disability Mentoring Day
- Sponsor a “Lunch and Learn” series about disability Issues
- Provide volunteer opportunities to employees
- Display posters promoting disability inclusion
- Offer Sign Language training classes to employees
- Interview students with disabilities during campus recruiting trips
- Host a disability 101 event for employees
- Incorporate disability into the onboarding process
For in-depth discussion of how to accomplish these and other initiatives HERE.
