FAST FACTS is a joint publication between the
U.S. Chamber’s Center for Workforce
Preparation & VCU-RRTC on Workplace Supports: A Business Marketing
Initiative
FastFactsOn...PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Private businesses partnering with public disability agencies will achieve
success in
recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining qualified workers with
disabilities.
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“The focus on hiring qualified employees with disabilities is, in fact,
good for business. The return on investment to SunTrust can be measured in
several ways: One, it helps in our diversity initiatives, building a
strong workforce; two, it helps us to develop products and services,
expanding our customer base; and three, it enables us to reach out to our
entire community. It’s good for our shareholders and it’s good for
business.” C.T. Hill, chairman, president and chief executive officer,
SunTrust MidAtlantic, Lead Company of the Virginia BLN
DID YOU KNOW?
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Companies in many industries report difficulty
finding enough skilled workers to fill available jobs.
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People with disabilities are the largest
source of untapped talent in today’s labor force.
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There are many tax incentives available to
businesses for training and hiring people with disabilities.
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Local vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs
are a resource to help business in recruiting, hiring, training, and
retaining of workers with disabilities.
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Business Leadership Networks (BLNs) are
employer-led organizations that share innovative best practices in
hiring and retaining people with disabilities. BLNs help employers
meet current and future labor needs.
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WHY PARTNERSHIPS?
Business needs skilled, qualified workers to fill its labor demands and
grow into new markets. Rehabilitation programs need employment placements
for their customers – people with disabilities. A strong partnership is a
win-win situation. Private businesses partnering with public disability
agencies will achieve success in recruiting, hiring, training, and
retaining qualified workers with disabilities.
WHAT ARE THE PITFALLS TO A
PARTNERSHIP?
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Too much government jargon
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Government programs too slow or have too
much paperwork
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Lack of understanding of the business culture
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Prior bad experiences
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Disability is not seen as a business issue by
employers
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WHO BENEFITS FROM THE PARTNERSHIP?
Business Benefits
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Access to a wider range of qualified
candidates
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Learn how to meet workers accommodation needs
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Reduced turnover and improved attendance of
workers
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Diverse workforce
Rehabilitation Benefits
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Increased employment opportunities for people
with
disabilities
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Improved knowledge of business culture and
needs
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Realistic skills training
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Enhanced customer satisfaction
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HOW TO DEVELOP A PARTNERSHIP?
The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce in Maryland began working with the
local VR program when the chamber sponsored a BLN. The chamber and VR
regularly plan for the region's workforce needs.VR develops training and
support programs and the result
is a steady pipeline of job-ready workers with disabilities – meeting the
labor demands of the region.
Partnership Features
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Be available to provide support
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Earn trust by serving on committees
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Plan events or trainings together
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Figure out cost saving measures
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Sponsor a Business Leadership Network (BLN)
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"Chambers can promote the mission of a Business Leadership
Network as a service to their membership. The chamber can
provide information, encouragement and support regarding
workforce diversity and marketing to the disability population. Just
these two areas of service can help business members in
recruitment and retention of labor and increase sales to the growing
population of people who have disabilities."
Jack Smith, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce
WORKING PARTNERSHIPS RESOURCES
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), SunTrust
Bank, and Manpower, Inc.
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The DRS works closely with Manpower Inc. and
SunTrust Bank by providing dedicated personnel
called Business Development Mangers (BDM).
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BDMs are active in the community learning
about
businesses’ needs and teaching business about
DRS programs and services.
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Manpower Inc., a Fortune 500 company
connecting
people with disabilities with employment opportunities
for more than 12 years, stays on the
cutting edge of supply and demand to their employer-
customers.
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SunTrust Bank has a readily available pipeline
of
dependable and qualified workers.
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“Our success as a disability-friendly business is directly
tied to our strategic long-term relationships developed
with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
(DRS) and Manpower, Inc. Both these organizations share
our commitment to increasing our talent pool by including
individuals with disabilities.”
Katherine
McCary, vice president, Human Resources,
SunTrust Bank
and chair of the Virginia Business
Leadership
Network (BLN)
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) and the
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
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The ADRS has developed a single point of
contact
for employers.
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Employer Development Coordinators (EDC)
actively
share information in the business community
and coordinate services across the various community
rehabilitation programs.
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A partnership between ADRS and the UAB
was
formed some 20 years ago.
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UAB and ADRS now work together to provide
timely
and aggressive employee intervention strategies
for University personnel whose jobs have been affected
by illness, injury or disability.
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The focus of the partnership is to help the
university
retain valued employees by tapping into the
disability management resources of ADRS.
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Go to www.worksupport.com/biznet/index.html and click
on Public/Private partnerships under the Resource section
for additional examples.
Resources
Public Sector
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Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Contact: Peggy Anderson, 205-290-4457
panderso@rehab.state.al.us
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Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Contact: Ethel Walker, 804-662-7000
walkerEF@drs.state.va.us
Private Sector
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Center for Workforce Preparation
U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
Contact: Cathy Healy, 202-463-5970
chealy@uschamber.com
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U.S. Business Leadership Network
Contact: Katherine McCary, 804-343-9571
katherine.mccary@suntrust.com
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Center for Workforce Preparation
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
1615 H St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20062-2000
202-463-5525 VOICE; 202-463-5308 FAX
www.uschamber.com/cwp
YOUR GATEWAY TO EMPLOYMENT
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
VCU-RRTC on Workplace Supports
1314 W. Main St.
Richmond, VA 23284-2011
804-828-1851 VOICE; 804-828-2494 TTY
804-828-2193 FAX
www.worksupport.com/biznet/index.html
Source: Fry, Ronald, (1997) (Ed.) Developing Effective Partnerships with
Employer as a Service Delivery Mechanism. Resource and Training Center
Continuing Education Center, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute,
Menomonie, Wisconsin.
Editors: Valerie Brooke, VCU-RRTC on Workplace Supports and Cathy Healy
and Zanna Gilbert, Center for Workforce Preparation, U.S. Chamber of
Commerce. Contributors: Peggy Anderson, Alabama Dept. of Rehabilitation
Services; Howard Green, VCURRTC on Workplace Supports; University of
Wisconsin-Stout, Institute on Rehabilitation Issues, May 1999 and
Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, Salisbury Maryland. Layout & Design: Jeanne
Robert
VCU School of Education and Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender,
age, religion, ethnic origin, or disability. If special accommodations are
needed, please contact Valerie Brooke at VOICE (804) 828-1851 or TTY (804)
828-2494. Funding for this product is provided by grant #H133B980036-02B
with the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research with the
U.S. Department of Education, |
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