Join | Member Login
Arlington (VA) Chamber of Commerce | Arlington, VA 22201
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • Join Now!
    • Chamber Assisted Grand Openings
    • Chamber Member Retirement Program
    • ShopChamber
    • Advertising >
      • Website Ads
      • E-Newsletter Ads
    • Arlingtonopoly
    • Century Club
    • Committees
    • LeadShare
    • Annual Corporate Sponsors
    • Member Login
  • Business Directory
  • Events
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar >
      • Submit a Community Event
    • Signature Events >
      • Arlington Business Gala
      • Hospitality Awards
      • AWE Women in Business Summit
      • Arlington Chamber Volunteer Day
      • Best Business Awards
      • State of the County & Public Safety Awards
      • Annual Meeting
    • Advocacy Events >
      • Legislative Breakfast
      • NOVA Elected Leaders Summit
      • County Board Candidate Forum
    • Networking Events >
      • Breakfast Connection
      • Business After Business
      • Women in Business
      • Young Professionals Happy Hour
    • Educational Events >
      • Chamber 101
      • Small Business Roundtable
  • Community
    • Arlington Restaurant Week
    • Employer Resources
    • Coupons
    • Job Board
    • Job Shadow Day
    • Travel
    • Foundation
    • Scholarship Fund
    • About Arlington >
      • Business Resources
      • Map of the Area
      • Visiting Arlington
  • Business Advocacy
    • Public Policy Positions
    • Arlington Advocacy >
      • Budget & Taxes
      • Planning
      • Project Support
      • Economic Development
      • Processes
      • Retail & Signage
      • Transportation
    • Virginia Advocacy >
      • Budget & Taxes
      • Transportation
      • Economic Development
      • Other Topics
    • Recent Advocacy
  • About the Chamber
    • 100th Anniversary
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Chamber In The News
    • Strategic Plan
    • FAQs
    • Publications >
      • Publications (2011 - 2024)
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • Join Now!
    • Chamber Assisted Grand Openings
    • Chamber Member Retirement Program
    • ShopChamber
    • Advertising >
      • Website Ads
      • E-Newsletter Ads
    • Arlingtonopoly
    • Century Club
    • Committees
    • LeadShare
    • Annual Corporate Sponsors
    • Member Login
  • Business Directory
  • Events
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar >
      • Submit a Community Event
    • Signature Events >
      • Arlington Business Gala
      • Hospitality Awards
      • AWE Women in Business Summit
      • Arlington Chamber Volunteer Day
      • Best Business Awards
      • State of the County & Public Safety Awards
      • Annual Meeting
    • Advocacy Events >
      • Legislative Breakfast
      • NOVA Elected Leaders Summit
      • County Board Candidate Forum
    • Networking Events >
      • Breakfast Connection
      • Business After Business
      • Women in Business
      • Young Professionals Happy Hour
    • Educational Events >
      • Chamber 101
      • Small Business Roundtable
  • Community
    • Arlington Restaurant Week
    • Employer Resources
    • Coupons
    • Job Board
    • Job Shadow Day
    • Travel
    • Foundation
    • Scholarship Fund
    • About Arlington >
      • Business Resources
      • Map of the Area
      • Visiting Arlington
  • Business Advocacy
    • Public Policy Positions
    • Arlington Advocacy >
      • Budget & Taxes
      • Planning
      • Project Support
      • Economic Development
      • Processes
      • Retail & Signage
      • Transportation
    • Virginia Advocacy >
      • Budget & Taxes
      • Transportation
      • Economic Development
      • Other Topics
    • Recent Advocacy
  • About the Chamber
    • 100th Anniversary
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Chamber In The News
    • Strategic Plan
    • FAQs
    • Publications >
      • Publications (2011 - 2024)
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us

ChAmber Blog

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

10/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
by Linda Chandler, CEO, Linden Resources

Did you know that…

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month? That it is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy? And that it is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues? I support this celebration of the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. What a great theme also "Because We Are EQUAL to the Task."

Here is why this matters...

The Office of Disability Employment Policy published these alarming disability employment statistics as of August 2013:

Labor Force Participation
People with disabilities: 20.5%
People without disabilities: 69.1%

Unemployment Rate
People with disabilities: 14.1%
People without disabilities: 7.1%

Photo - Employees with disabilities work at Linden Resources on secure document destruction, one of the services they offer to customers.

I am discouraged to read these statistics. As the largest employer of people with disabilities in Arlington County, Linden Resources has learned that employees with disabilities possess talents and abilities, are dedicated and loyal, and appreciative of jobs opportunities. As employees, they add to the range of viewpoints businesses need to succeed, offering fresh ideas to solve problems, accomplish tasks and implement strategies. This untapped labor pool can offer a source of skilled employees and can contribute to increasing retention and reducing turnover. In addition, tax incentives and technical assistance can assist with accommodations, which are often relatively easy and inexpensive to implement. I believe this is a win for any employer!

To gain these benefits and others, employers should establish the following practices as part of their business culture:
  • Seek qualified candidates with disabilities for job openings.

  • Establish a system for educating all workers about the value people with disabilities bring to your organization.

  • Add disability to any diversity training program.

  • Ensure professional development programs are available to people with disabilities.

  • Assist in providing employees with disabilities with feedback on their performance in the same manner as provided for individuals without disabilities.

There are a number of organizations that help businesses incorporate the above practices. The best thing you can do is seek help from these organizations, as well as utilitze resources such as the Office of Disability Employment Policy's Ideas for Employers and Employees.There are a number of organizations that help businesses incorporate the above practices. The best thing you can do is seek help from these organizations, as well as utilitze resources such as the Office of Disability Employment Policy's Ideas for Employers and Employees.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    The mission of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen businesses and the economic environment for those who work, live and do business in Arlington.
    Picture
    Contribute to the blog!
    Educate the Chamber membership and Arlington business community by writing a post for our blog! To get started download the blog guidelines and blog template. For questions and more information, contact the Communications Manager.

    Archives

    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2025 Arlington Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
2009 14th Street, North  | Suite 100 | Arlington, VA 22201 | Directions
Tel (703) 525-2400 | [email protected]
MemberClicks
Subscribe to our Mailing List
Home | ​Join Now | Site Map