The Governors Committee on

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The Governors Committee on Employment of People
with Disabilities
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Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
National Organization on Disability
(N.O.D.) 2004 Harris Survey
Percent Unemployed
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Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
Untapped Labor Pool 460,000 CT Working Age
Adults
Connecticut Census Data - 2004 American Community
Survey
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Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
Whats in it for YOU?

• Business tax credits
• Lower labor costs
• Highly motivated skilled workforce
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
  Rehabilitation Act
• Affirmative Action planning

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The Governors Committee on Employment of People
with Disabilities (GCEPD)

• The Mission of the GCEPD shall be to facilitate
  the development and implementation of programs
  and initiatives for the employment of people with
  disabilities
• Produce and provide an environment that strives
  to include and integrate people with disabilities
  into the workforce
• Promote and establish initiatives designed to
  highlight the benefits of employing people with
  disabilities

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Current Initiatives

• Connecticut Business Leadership Network (CTBLN)
• Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)
• Start on Success (SOS)

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CT Business Leadership Network (CT BLN)

• An initiative of the Presidents Committee on
  Employment of People with Disabilities
  since 1994
• Part of the Governors Committee on Employment of
  People with Disabilities since 1999
• Develops programs and initiatives that bring
  together key state and local organizations and
  employers to provide the educational and training
  services needed to assist companies in recruiting
  job applicants with disabilities

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Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)

• Nationwide initiative of the Presidents
  Committee on Employment of People with
  Disabilities and a statewide initiative of the
  Governors Committee on Employment of People with
  Disabilities
• Teaches leadership skills to high school students
  with disabilities to help them pursue their
  educational and career goals

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Start on Success (SOS)

• An initiative founded in 1995 through the
  National Organization on Disability to provide
  early training and paid work experience for high
  school students with disabilities
• Focuses on urban, low-income minority students
  with disabilities in the workplace
• Helps employers and employees without
  disabilities become aware of the needs of
  disadvantaged youths with disabilities
• Establishes partnerships with students, teachers,
  parents, service providers, and employers to
  accomplish these goals

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Finding Qualified Employees

• Community Organizations
• Government Organizations
• Specialized Placement Firms
• College Recruiting

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Disability Friendly Resources for the Workplace

• Job Accommodation Network www.JAN.wvu.edu
• Employer Assistance and Recruiting Network (EARN)
  http//www.earnworks.com
• Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
  http//www.wrpjobs.com

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Disability Friendly Resources for the Workplace
(continued)

• Department of Veterans Affairs, Vocational
  Rehabilitation and Employment Services
  http//www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
• Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS)
  http//www.brs.state.ct.us/programs.htm
• State Board of Education and Services for the
  Blind (BESB) http//www.besb.state.ct.us/

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Myths vs. Facts on Accommodations

• 73 of employers reported that their employees
  with disabilities required no accommodations at
  all
• Over 50 of employers reported that
  accommodations for employees with disabilities
  were made at no cost
• 42 of employers reported one-time accommodations
  cost an average of 600
• Employers reported that, employees with
  disabilities have better retention rates, thereby
  reducing the high cost of turnover

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The Governors Committee on Employment of People
with Disabilities Contact Us  200 Folly
Brook BoulevardWethersfield, CT 06109 (860)
263-6067 http//www.ctdol.state.ct.us/gendocs/GCE
PD/t-GCEPD.htm