MODSIM WORLD 08

1

• MODSIM WORLD 08
• SESSION 5 Industry Viewpoint in the Application
  of Modeling and Simulation in Todays Workforce
• SEPTEMBER 17, 2008

2
VIEWPOINTS ON ACCESSIBILITY AND THE WORKFORCE

• Accessibility of MS Applications
• Employment of people with disabilities to fill
  workforce gaps

3
ACCESSIBILITY OF MS APPLICATIONS

• Generally not built to be accessible screen
  readers and other assistive technology not
  compatible
• IT Industry is working on accessibility of 3D
  imaging and other currently inaccessible
  environments
• Significance
• Broader application of technology originally
  designed for accessibility
• Leverage skills and creativity of employees with
  disabilities

4
EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO FILL
WORKFORCE GAPS

• Fast growing demand for modeling and simulation
  workforce
• Rapidly declining workforce population due to
  baby boomer retirements
• Need to fill the gap

5
EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO FILL
WORKFORCE GAPS (cont.)

• Employment Statistics
• Among adults with disabilities of working age (18
  to 64), 3 out of 10 (32) work full/part-time,
  compared to 8 of 10 (81) of those without
  disabilities
• US Dept of Education Statistics

6
EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO FILL
WORKFORCE GAPS (cont.)

• Dispelling the myth
• Many employers are hesitant to hire employees
  with disabilities
• Fears
• Less productive
• Negative impact on clients
• Requires expensive accommodations
• Unfamiliar with how to talk to/work with/approach
  employees with various disabilities
• Potential accident risk
• Taxing on employers health insurance program
• Legal action

7
EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO FILL
WORKFORCE GAPS (cont.)

• Dispelling the myth (continued)
• AbleTrust employer attitude study indicated
• 73 of businesses reported that their employees
  with disabilities did not require accommodations
• 61 said that average costs of accommodations
  were 500 or less
• 29 said 100 or less
• The Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation reports
  Nearly all the employers who hired someone with a
  disability indicated they would hire an
  individual with a disability again.
• Employees with disabilities are more committed,
  and are retained on average 50 percent longer
  than traditional workers

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CONTACT

• Theresa Lee
• CEO, TecAccess
• 757.839.3837 - direct
• tlee_at_tecaccess.net
• www.tecaccess.net