December 3rd, 1992, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this day as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The inclusion of people with disabilities is an essential condition to upholding human rights, sustainable development, peace, and forward progress to equality. The global crisis of COVID-19 has deepened pre-existing inequalities, exposing the extent of exclusion and exemplifying the fact that a massive focus on disability inclusion is imperative. People with disabilities (one billion people) are one of the most excluded groups in our society and are among the hardest hit in this crisis. 

For many individuals with disabilities of working age, pursuing traditional employment can be a daunting prospect filled with challenges and uncertainties. A good number of these relate to whether in a competitive jobs market, it will even be possible to gain meaningful employment given widespread barriers towards employing people with disabilities held by many employers and a general lack of awareness around best-practice for workplace disability inclusion. 

However, over the last couple years we have witnessed unprecedented progress with regards to social awareness and employment opportunities for all people. Yet according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 19.3% of persons with a disability were employed in 2019. By contrast, the employment-population ratio for people without a disability was 66.3%  There is an enormous opportunity for businesses to take advantage of a ripe candidate market, whose loyalty is unmatched. According to a 2018 report by Accenture, companies that embrace disability inclusion gain access to a talent pool of more than 10 million people. That represents the largest untapped group of job seekers in the country. 

Recruiting Partners with Goodwin Recruiting have aligned efforts with the Division of Vocation & Rehab (DVR), a national government division dedicated to finding employment for those with disabilities.  We are continuing to improve our strategies and systems in the Colorado market, then plan to expand our efforts nationwide.  If you are disabled, know someone who is, or are a hiring employer, we are happy to assist you in your search.  Dedicated to diversity and inclusion is a Goodwin Core Value. 

The Disability Inclusion Advantage for Companies

Accenture surveyed 140 large employers in 2018 for Employment Practices that prioritized Disability. Some key financial findings include::

• Companies that championed people with disabilities outperformed others
• Profitability (eg Revenues and Incomes) increased by 30%
• Value Creation (eg Profit Margins) increased by 28%
• Shareholder Returns were 4X greater

Ted Kennedy, Jr. said, “Leading companies are accelerating disability inclusion as the next frontier of corporate social responsibility and mission-driven investing.” Let’s all recognize and celebrate the skills, talents, and achievements of people with disabilities.