Amputee Coalition Fact Sheet

Hiring Practices for Individuals with Disabilities and Those within Diverse Backgrounds

Web Development Fact Sheet

Created 10/2022

Introduction

There are many programs, organizations, and resources available to assist employers with hiring individuals with disabilities (including veterans) and those of diverse talents. The following are private, nonprofit, and government resources/programs to assist organizations in diversifying their workplace.

Federal Programs and Resources

American Job Center
American Job Center helps organizations with recruiting, hiring, and training a diverse talent within their workforce. Employers can connect with a local American Job Center and Business Service Representative to:

  • Post jobs leads and search resumes on free online job board
  • Recruit and pre-screen job candidates for job openings
  • Find and refer qualified veteran job candidates
  • Connect to local resources for training employees
  • Provide HR staff training on current topics
  • Obtain federal and state grants, hiring incentives and tax credits

Web: https://www.careeronestop.org/businesscenter/recruitandhire/wheretofindcandidates/american-job-centers.aspx

U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
ODEP promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities. ODEP has several initiatives that help employers become interested in diversifying their workplace.
Phone: (866) 633-7365
Web: dol.gov/odep
Email: odep@dol.gov

U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)
The Social Security Administration has several resources regarding employment. The SSA also administers the Ticket to Work Program, which allows most people receiving Social Security benefits to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services or other work-related support from an employment network of their choice. Employers can let their employees know about SSA if they have or are obtaining Social Security benefits but is able work part-time hours.
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Web:  ssa.gov
Email:  secure.ssa.gov/emailus

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
VR&E assists veterans and service members with job training, résumé development, employment accommodations and job-seeking skills coaching. Other services may include helping veterans start their own business or independent living services for individuals who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.
Web: benefits.va.gov/vocrehab

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Every state has a federally funded Vocational Rehabilitation program that provides specialized employment and education-related services and training to assist teens and adults with disabilities in becoming employed. VR services vary from state to state but can include:

  • Vocational and other types of training; including job training
  • Interpreter and reader services
  • Rehabilitation technology/Adaptive technology or equipment once employed
  • Placement and post-employment services, such as having one-on-one job coaching, or On-The-Job Training (OJT) or follow-along services once placed at the worksite
  • Other goods and services necessary to achieve rehab objectives
  • Payment for transportation and vehicle modification (in some cases)

Employers can let their  employees know about Vocational Rehabilitation and can access state’s resources through the Amputee Coalition’s State Resource Map or you can contact the National Limb Loss Resource Center at (888) 267-5669.

Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with college students and recent graduates with disabilities, to internship and employment opportunities. WRP provides resources to federal employers on how to become involved in hiring college students and recent graduated with disabilities and how diversify their workplace.
Web:  https://www.wrp.gov/wrp?id=employer_landing_page
Email: wrp@dol.gov

Private Organizations/Websites

Employment Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) offers information and resources to help employers recruit, hire, retain and advance people with disabilities.
Web:  https://askearn.org/
Email:  earn@askearn.org

Disability:IN
Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. DisabIlity:IN provides private and Fortune 500 companies with the resources and training needed to hire individuals with disabilities and how to diversify their workplace; including their supplier diversity program and Disability Equality Index programs.
Web: https://disabilityin.org
Email: info@disabilityIN.org

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the employability of people with disabilities.
Phone: (800) 526-7234
Web:  askjan.org
Email:  jan@askjan.org

National Labor Exchange (NLx)
National Labor Exchange is a resource for employers and state workforce agencies to connect workers with job openings. It also connects state and federal agencies, nonprofit and Veteran organizations, and disability/diversity partners to assist employers with recruitment goals.
Web: https://usnlx.com/

The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT)
Staff Training Resources
Web: https://www.peatworks.org/digital-accessibility-toolkits/staff-training-resources/

TalentWorks
Web: https://www.peatworks.org/digital-accessibility-toolkits/talentworks/

Hiring Resources

Employer Assistance and Resources Network for Disability Inclusion (EARN)

Forbes
Seven Reasons Why Hiring People with Disabilities Is Good for Business
Web: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/12/03/seven-reasons-why-hiring-people-with-disabilities-is-good-for-business/?sh=6f55a3411832

Schedule A Hiring Authority
The Schedule A Hiring Authority for people with disabilities is an exception to the traditional hiring process. Schedule A streamlines the hiring process for persons with disabilities and, in some instances, hiring officials may select solely from a list of qualified Schedule A applicants.
An individual is eligible Schedule A if are a person with an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability. Applicants will need to show that you meet the qualifications of the job (with or without reasonable accommodation).
Web: https://www.eeoc.gov/publications/abcs-schedule-tips-applicants-disabilities-getting-federal-jobs
Schedule A Template: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/odep/wrp/schedulealetter.pdf

U.S. Small Business Administration
Hire employees with disabilities
Web: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/hire-employees-disabilities

For print requests, please contact:
Amputee Coalition
601 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 420, South Building, Washington, DC 20004
888/267-5669
amputee-coalition.org.


It is not the intention of the Amputee Coalition to provide specific medical or legal advice but rather to provide consumers with information to better understand their health and healthcare issues. The Amputee Coalition does not endorse any specific treatment, technology, company, service or device. Consumers are urged to consult with their healthcare providers for specific medical advice or before making any purchasing decisions involving their care.

© Amputee Coalition. Local reproduction for use by Amputee Coalition constituents is permitted as long as this copyright information is included. Organizations or individuals wishing to reprint this article in other publications, including other websites must contact the Amputee Coalition for permission to do so, by emailing a request to communications@amputee-coalition.org.