6:18 p.m. CDT, August 19, 2013
After a job fair in Arlington Heights for those with disabilities stalled, officials now plan to soon launch an informational campaign to promote the hiring of people with disabilities.
"We want to let them know people are out there and there are programs and incentives to hire people," said Ryan Danzinger, co-chair of the village's Commission for Citizens with Disabilities.
A job fair to connect employers and people with disabilities previously was considered, but commission officials said they couldn't find enough interest to host the event. Instead, the latest campaign to educate employers is expected to launch in the fall.
The commission now is putting together information to pass along to businesses, communications that will include how to apply for financial incentives—such as federal tax credits--given to those who employ people with disabilities.
Another advantage to hiring people with disabilities, Danzinger said, is the business gaining a different perspective. The workforce's younger generation also appreciates working in a diverse environment, he said.
"An employee with a disability brings a different perspective to things and products," he said. "Having a different perspective can make the products better."
Danzinger said he sees this as an opportunity to arm employers with the resources, so that those with disabilities will be considered for jobs when hiring picks up again.
"We can empower employers to hire these people with disabilities. And when we're coming out of the recession, then they'll have the resources to hire these qualified candidates," he said. "So while, yes, the job market isn't pretty right now, as things improve, these things will be an asset."
The informational campaign is also a push to eliminate the stigmas regarding people with disabilities in the workforce.
Danzinger said the state unemployment rate among people with disabilities is generally about twice that of the unemployment rate for the general population. With Illinois' unemployment rate hovering at about 9 percent, that would mean an estimated 18 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed.
Officials said the commission also is teaming up with other organizations in the village—including the Arlington Economic Alliance, which serves as an advisory group to the village board—to spread the word.
The Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce will help answer questions from business owners who may have questions about federal incentives, Americans with Disabilities Act restrictions or skills assessment, said Jim Platt, business development director for the chamber.
"We hope to be that kind of conduit and assist businesses who are too afraid or too busy to step into new water," Platt said.