Presented by: Sharon Johnson, Division of Medicaid and Long- Term Care, Department of Health & Human Services Karen Goehring, Easter Seals NE September 16, 2011

2 Session Objectives: 1. Examine the resources available to Nebraska employers during both recruitment and active employment phases. 2. Learn how businesses that employ people with disabilities turn social issues into business opportunities. 3. Clarify and correct some of the commonly held misconceptions about the workforce of people with disabilities.

Start Hiring It's Easier Than You Might Think You should be able to hire the best person for the job, period. When it comes to hiring people with disabilities, getting started is the hardest part. And we’re here to help you do that. 3

I-Response Poll 4 How many people does your company employ? a.Less than ten b c d e.More than 500

I-Response Poll 5 Tell us about the population size for the community where your business is located: a.More than 40,000 residents b.10,000-40,00 residents c.1,000-9,999 residents d.Fewer than 1,000 residents

I-Response Poll 6 Does your company have a policy or program to promote hiring a diverse workforce, including people with disabilities? a.Yes b.No

I-Response Poll 7 Hiring disabled workers increases workers compensation insurance rates. a.Myth b.Fact

I-Response Poll 8 Providing accommodations for people with disabilities is expensive. a.Myth b.Fact

I-Response Poll 9 The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) forces employers to hire unqualified individuals with disabilities. a.Myth b.Fact

I-Response Poll 10 Employees with disabilities have a higher absentee rate than employees without disabilities. a.Myth b.Fact

I-Response Poll 11 Under the ADA, an employer cannot fire an employee who has a disability. a.Myth b.Fact

12 Putting Money Where Our Mouth Is An exciting new effort to get real people hired. Now.

Our media footprint 13 +Concentrated local media efforts are already underway, giving added impressions and market saturation to the Think Beyond the Label brand +Nebraska campaign planned fall/winter, 2011

Web & Social Media Digital & Rich Media Print & Out-of-Home Network & Cable TV Where we’ve been Radio

Insights 15 +In order to achieve the desired paradigm shift, we need to guide employers through the phases of the decision-making process.

The “Product” 16 The “Field Guide to Evolving Your Workforce” was created to give employers important information and clear next steps in a format that could be easily consumed and shared.

From awareness to activation 17 +New tool for businesses: The Field Guide to Evolving Your Workforce +Available in multiple formats: interactive, mobile, and print

From awareness to activation 18

From awareness to activation 19

ThinkBeyondtheLabel.com 20 +Interactive “Field Guide” directs employers through site content in a more measurable and intuitive way and guides them through the decision-making process

In a recent national survey by the Kessler Foundation, the needs of employers working with applicants with disabilities were identified … The two most significant needs were assistance finding qualified applicants and help matching job descriptions to skill sets. 21

How it works 22 We want to get real people hired, and we are now working with potential partners to hire reliable, capable people with disabilities who will serve the needs of many businesses today and well into the future. This is one way Nebraska business leaders can add skilled and experienced workers as more than half of Nebraskans with disabilities were gainfully employed when they become disabled.

Business and Employer Resources 23

NE Ticket to Work Employer E-Services 24

Connect with JAN Job Accommodation Network: for employers Free consulting services for all employers, regardless of the size of an employer’s workforce 25

Success: 26 “the goal is that disability is woven into standard operating practice not something special” Kathy Martinez – Assistant Secretary ODEP

Talk with someone about hiring people with disabilities Karen Goehring, Employer Engagement Manager, Easter Seals NE (402) x 1114

Talk with someone about hiring people with disabilities Sharon Johnson, DHHS (402)

29 Thank you.