disability etiquette: everything you wanted to know, but are afraid to ask
TRANSCRIPT
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Disability EtiquetteEverything You Wanted to Know,
But Are Afraid to Ask
Tracy ColeMarketing Manager,
America's Job Exchange
John RobinsonCEO
Our Ability.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
When Oscar Wilde wrote, "...there, but for the grace of God go I,” he had little idea of the impact these words
would someday have on people with disabilities.
Reasons for disability increase:• Emergence of new diseases and other causes of impairment, such as HIV/AIDS,
stress and alcohol and drug abuse• Increasing life span and numbers of elderly persons• Projected increases in number of disabled children over next 30 years, particularly
in the developing countries • Due to malnutrition, diseases, child labor and other causes
• Armed conflict and violence
Having a disability places you in the world's largest minority group. Currently, 650,000,000 people in the world have a disability - or 10% of the population.
Individuals with Disabilities represent over a $4 Billion dollar market in US alone.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Definition of Disability
A person with a disability, is a person who has a limitation that substantially limits one or
more major life functions,has a record of such an impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment.
Disabilities can be visible or invisible.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Cycle of Life – Employment, Financial, Relationships
Why This Is Important?
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Did You Know…?
71% of disabilities are invisible. They include mental health, sensory, learning, intellectual and attention disabilities.
Roughly 50% of all Americans are affected either directly or indirectly by a disability.
% of Total Accommodations Cost20% $051% $1 - $500
Which means IWDs are already in the workforce – and cost effective.!
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Employment Facts
Labor Force Participation
• People with disabilities: 20.5%
• People without disabilities: 68.4%
Unemployment Rate
• People with disabilities: 9.7%
• People without disabilities: 4.3%
Education
• Estimated 13.5% of non-institutionalized persons aged 21 to 64 years, with a disability in US, have an educational attainment of BA degree or higher –as compared to 31.9% of general population.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Consider This…
› A "disability" is really a function of an environment's inaccessibility, rather than a measure of value for a person labeled as "disabled."
› Disabilities are not intrinsic to the person.
› People who have access to devices and resources that allow them to participate fully in life and work may do things differently, and in effect their “disabilities” disappear.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Section 503:Companies with Government Contracts
› Recruit, hire, promote and retain Individuals with Disabilities (IWD) at a level at or above 7% of the company's workforce
› Incorporate specific language into contracts and subcontracts
› Support self-verification inside your organization in the recruiting process
› Invite existing employees to self-identify
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Pipeline to Candidates
Recruiting in outreach to the community of
individuals with disabilities is one
of the most difficult aspects for any federal
contractor.
By nature, individuals with disabilities have
hidden their disability for
many years due to discriminatory practices as well
as lack of confidence.
Internal self identification and
corporate resource groups help individuals find like-minded
support.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
What Does “Disability” Look Like?
mobility, motor functionPhysical
learning disability, developmental, TBI Cognitive
cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, MSMedical
blind, deafSensory
absence of voice or articulationSpeech
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
What Jobs Can People Do?
Most jobs can be done by a
person with disability.
Individuals have many different skills, and most employers are looking at the skill set/ability
when filling any job.
Job accommodations
can be reasonable and
easily implemented.
Employment specialists and job coaches are
readily available.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Employment Fears
Poor performance and firing issues
Fear of existing team not accepting the individual
Cultural perceptions of individuals with disabilities
Most importantly, a lack of understanding of disability and avoidance in learning
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
The Basics….
When employing people with disabilities, do not exempt them from the normal expectations of work ethics and performance. The ultimate in equal rights for people with disabilities is to be allowed to succeed or fail like everyone else.
Avoid making assumptions. Treat each person as an individual. Focus on abilities, not limitations.
If a problem arises with an employee who has a disability, try to determine if the issue is a function of attitude, accessibility or health.
For the benefit of the company and people who want to contribute their best work, always leave the door open to opportunity, explore all the options and make informed decisions.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Visual Impairments
›Many employers cite safety as a reason for not hiring workers who are blind or who have low vision. They forget—or do not know—that people who are blind receive special training that teaches them to operate safely in the world. In fact, safety statistics for workers who are blind do not differ significantly from workers who have sight.
›Technological advances have provided people who are blind and visually impaired with access to written materials. Not long ago, Braille was the only tool, but now many other options are available.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Breaking Down Assumptions: Interviewing
Telephone Interview:
•Do not ask or focus on the disability during questioning, rather listen for comments to reflect on possible accommodations.
• If accommodations do come up in the interviewee questions – then address what is reasonable to get the job tasks accomplished.
•Keep your focus on their ability to do the desired job function in comparison to other candidates.
In Person:
•Don't make assumptions. When escorting someone who is blind, ask, "Would you like to be guided?" If the answer is "yes," offer your arm.
•Don't play with a guide dog or try to get its attention. Doing so distracts the dog from its duty of guiding the person.
•Don't avoid using phrases like "Do you see what I mean?”
•Don't marvel at an applicant's ability to perform simple life functions without sight.
•Be prepared to show the candidate the work site and describe the work to be accomplished. Ask what accommodations, if any, would be required to do the job.
•Try to avoid imagining how you would do the job if you lost your sight.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Mobility Impairments
According to Cornell, 2,449,500 people with a ambulatory disability, ages 21-64, with all education levels in the United States were employed.
Consider that you may have workers that will also benefit for mobility accommodation though they may not readily consider themselves disabled.
Posted parking spaces, ramps into buildings, curb cuts, door openers and accessible bathrooms are just the tip of the iceberg. Consider the accessibility of any spaces used by employees (no matter what level) and be ready to address concerns in a timely manner.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Breaking Down Assumptions
Ask whether the person has any suggestions or comments regarding the accessibility of the workspace or the demands of the job.
Be accommodating. A person who is short statured or has other special physical needs may need a footrest or other alterations in the workspace.
Bring work materials close to the workspace to avoid unnecessary traveling and carrying whenever practical. The job may need to be restructured so that a minor duty that is physically difficult, such as lifting heavy boxes, is delegated to another employee.
Be flexible!
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Hearing Impairments
The spectrum of hearing loss is broad. Some individuals may experience adult onset of a minor hearing loss that is fully corrected with a hearing aid; others may have been deaf from birth or an early age.
The time of life at which the person's hearing became affected is important because it significantly impacts oral communication skills.
Technology has made it easier for people with hearing loss to communicate. Telecommunications devices such as video displays and phone amplifiers have made it possible for people with hearing loss to communicate more effectively.
When interviewing a person with a hearing impairment, find out how the individual is most comfortable communicating.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Breaking Down Assumptions
Look directly at the hearing-impaired person to whom you are speaking. Avoid gum chewing or other activities that obscure lip-reading.
Speak slowly and clearly, but do not overemphasize or exaggerate words or speak loudly.
In situations where a certain word or phrase is difficult for the person to catch, try to rephrase the thought rather than repeating it in the same words.
Make sure that you have the person's attention before you begin speaking. Tap the individual's shoulder or wave, and make eye contact before beginning.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Breaking Down Assumptions
Use facial expressions and hand gestures to facilitate spoken language as much as possible.
Maintain eye contact with the person who is deaf, even if an interpreter is present.
• The person who has a hearing loss will look for cues from both you and the interpreter and prefers to be responded to directly.
• The interpreter is there to facilitate communication and will translate everything you say, including telephone conversations, sidebar conversations and remarks to other employees in the area.
Make every attempt to have an interpreter available if an employee requests one.
Encourage other employees who are interested in learning sign language.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Developmental Disabilities
Formerly referred to as “mental retardation,”this disability grouping applies to people who have
intellectual and/or cognitive limitations.
The range of intellectual impairment is from "high functioning," to those who may be more significantly affected.
People on the Autism Spectrum are also consideredto have a developmental disability.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Breaking Down Assumptions
Break each job into its basic components.
Demonstrate task as you explain how to do it. Workers with developmental disabilities may take longer to understand the nuances and variations of the task.
Repetition that is obnoxious to a person who has greater cognitive capacity may be comforting to someone else...
Be prepared to encounter some resistance when the work schedule or tasks change. Show that you believe the worker can do the new task/handle changes.
Use existing resources, outside trainers or “job coaches”.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Remember, There Are Many Forms
WE ALL HAVE ABILITY!
Substance Abuse and Addiction
Traumatic Brain Injury
Mental Health Disabilities
Chronic Illness and Hidden Disabilities
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
What You Should Do
Resources
Interviewing
Reasonable Accommodations (Reasonable!)
Basics
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Basics
• When unsure how a person with a disability wants to be referenced, use the language they define• Deaf or hard of Hearing• Blind or Low vision• Little Person or Dwarf• Mobility Disability or Wheelchair user
Language
• Like any other group, people with disabilities like to define what they are called.
Use language that the person to whom you are referring is comfortable.
• Retarded, Deaf and dumb, crippled, handicapped
Eliminate Negative Phrases or Antiquated Terms
• Unless you are a medical professional.
Refrain from medical terminology.
• Confined or –bound, handicapable, challenged
Avoid condescending or soft language.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
What is Reasonable?
› Any change in the work environment or in the way things are usually done than enables an individuals with a disability to:
› Participate in the application process› Perform the essential functions of the job› Enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment that are available to
individuals with out disabilities
% of Total Accommodations Cost
20% $051% $1 - $500
› Accommodations help retain experienced workers and communicate work to younger workers.
› Some accommodations will benefit every employee in your workplace.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable Accommodations on the Job:A screen reader of large monitor for an employee who is low vision.A videophone to facilitate communication for an associate who is deaf.An alternative work schedule for an employee with frequent medical appointments.
Not Part of Reasonable Accommodation:Reasonable Accommodations are NOT Special Treatment.Reasonable Accommodations are not a “sometimes thing.”
Unreasonable
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Language and Interviewing
›Use natural language and don't avoid using phrases like "Do you see what I mean?” or “Walk the line” or “Hear the call.”
›Be prepared to show the candidate the work site and describe the work to be accomplished.
›When interviewing someone who is using an interpreter, look directly at the hearing-impaired person to whom you are speaking. Avoid gum chewing or other activities that obscure lip-reading. Speak slowly and clearly, but do not overemphasize or exaggerate words or speak loudly.
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Language and Interviewing
If speaking in a group announce yourself before speaking and make sure that you have the person's attention before you begin speaking. Tap the individual's shoulder or wave, and make eye contact before beginning.Make every attempt to have an interpreter available if an employee requests one and if at any time you feel that there is a communications barrier, stop the interview and make arrangements to address the communications gap before proceeding.The interpreter is there to facilitate communication and will translate everything you say, including telephone conversations, sidebar conversations and remarks to other employees in the area.Add the question, “What accommodations, if any, would you need to do the job?” to the basic list of questions for interviews for all candidates (able bodied or not).
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
America’s Job Exchange has been a pioneer in online recruitment and compliance from the very beginning, having evolved from America’s Job Bank which was
founded by the Department of Labor in 1995. We keep true to the original mission of America’s Job Bank assisting Federal Contractors meet OFCCP regulations for
online job postings and distribution.
OUR MISSIONWe believe that a diverse workforce is beneficial to every company and its
employees. Our mission is to provide the best tools, resources and information to connect employers and diverse job seekers.
About America’s Job Exchange
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
John RobinsonCEO,Our Ability
Contact Information
www.ourability.com
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Tracy ColeMarketing Manager,America's Job Exchange
[email protected]@charter.com978-946-7834
Contact Information
www.americasjobexchange.com
WEBINAR Disability Etiquette: Want to Know, Afraid to Ask
Our Webinars Are Now Monthly
OutSolve and the America’s Job Exchange have teamed together for a unique presentation on record-keeping and Affirmative Action Compliance. As industry insiders who work daily with Federal Contractors, we know first-hand how important accurate data collection is.
AJE and OutSolve will discuss:› How to conduct your own HR audit› Provide samples accurate record-keeping› Outreach & AAP including tips › Advice to always be audit ready› Reviewing Applicant vs Hiring data
Can Your Record Keeping Passthe White Glove Test?Presenters
March 21st, 2017 1:00-2:00pm ET
Tracy ColeMarketing Manager
Chris LindholmVP Compliance
MARCH 2017