Presenters: Andraa LaVant Jessica Hunt

Become familiar with the definition of disability under the Rehabilitation Act Become familiar with people-first language and proper disability etiquette Understand the benefits of including people with disabilities in the workplace

Office of Disability Rights

Disability Fact or Fiction: What Do We Know?

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A person with a disability wants to be treated equally to others in his or her workplace.

Office of Disability Rights

It is often inexpensive to a hire a qualified person with a disability and give the person the tools needed to do his or her job.

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People with disabilities are held to different standards at work than other individuals.

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It does not matter to a person with a disability when you refer to him or her as handicapped.

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There is a difference between the words Deaf and deaf.

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When you see a person with a disability struggling with a door or heavy object, it is a good idea to open the door or take the object for him or her.

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When a person speaks slowly, you may assume that person has an intellectual disability.

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Not all people who are blind read Braille.

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Some people who are blind wear dark glasses. Why?

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When speaking with a Deaf person who has an interpreter, you should make eye contact with the interpreter.

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All people who are Deaf read lips.

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All people who are Deaf can speak.

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A person who has cancer that is in remission has a disability.

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Do you have experience with individuals with disabilities? What are visible disabilities? What are invisible disabilities?

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How does the law define disability? Three-pronged definition

Physical or Mental Impairment Record of a Disability Regarded As Having a Disability

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Language does matter! When referring to a person with a disability, always put the person first.
Examples: Person who is blind; person who is Deaf; Person with an intellectual disability

The Golden Rule:

If you are ever unsure of: acceptable language, acceptable etiquette, or anything else: It is appropriate to ask Making assumptions helps no one

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Acceptable
Person with a disability Blind or low vision Deaf or Hard of Hearing Wheelchair user Person with an intellectual disability NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT

Unacceptable
Disabled or handicapped Visually impaired Hearing impaired Wheelchair bound or confined to a wheelchair Mentally Retarded

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Offering assistance Okay to offer Ask what type of assistance needed Preferences are different among people with the same disability Accept no Always direct communication to the person with a disability If the person speaks slowly, let him/her finish the sentence. Make a mistake? Apologize, correct, learn and move on Treat adults as adults Relax!

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Unemployment rate for PwD is almost twice the unemployment rate of those without them

15.2% v. 8.1% as of March 2012 (US Dept of Labor)

PwD in the labor force 20.1% vs. people w/o disabilities 69.3% (US Dept of Labor) Two-thirds of PwD who are unemployed would rather be working (Institute for a Competitive Workforce

Increased Revenue

Access to new markets Improve productivity through innovative and effective ways of doing business

Economic Incentives

Eligible for state and federal tax credits and reimbursement opportunities for architectural changes

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Return on Investment Calculator Think Beyond the Label www.thinkbeyondthelabel.com

Reduce Costs

Increase Retention and Attendance PwD are typically more loyal and stay longer on the job than their non-disabled counterparts
Less likely to take sick and personal leave Marriott 6% turnover, PwD; 52% overall Washington Mutual 8% turnover, PwD; 45% overall

Reduce hiring and training costs Reduce costs associated with conflict and litigation

Research proves:
Workers with disabilities are much more satisfied with their work than those w/o disabilities PwD have a strong reputation for being hardworking, dedicated, and proud of their work and the organizations that employ them Employees with disabilities are just as dependable and productive than those without disabilities

Customers with disabilities, their families, friends, and associates represent a trillion dollar market segment
Many Americans say they prefer to patronize businesses that hire PwD

Ultimately proves that the organization/business cares about the community at large

PwD bring unique experiences and understanding transforms a workplace and enhances products & services
Workplace Innovation
Allows more efficient and effective business processes Opportunities to develop and implement management strategies to attract and retain qualified talent New products and services can be developed through disability-inclusive diverse teams Products and services can be customized to increase profitability

Product & Service Innovation

US Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy www.dol.gov/odep Job Accommodation Networkwww.askjan.org US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission- www.eeoc.gov

Jessica L. Hunt, Esq. Special Projects Coordinator District of Columbia Office of Disability Rights (ODR) O: 202-727-0287 Jessica.hunt@dc.gov Andraa LaVant Inclusion Specialist Girl Scout Council of the Nations Capital O: 202-534-3791 alavant@gscnc.org