A Successful Public-Private Partnership SI SINGLE FACE OF GOVT - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

A Successful Public-Private Partnership

Wilson Resources, Inc.

Working with Employers

Leslie Wilson President/CEO Wilson Resources, Inc.

2908 Capital Park Drive Tallahassee, FL 32301 850/386-2022 Email: lesliew@wilres.com

Presenter

Working with Employers

Introduction

People with disabilities are America’s largest minority

• group. There are 54 million

Americans with disabilities (1 in 5 Americans).

Working with Employers

Introduction

“Employment is the largest gap area for people with disabilities, with 35% of people with disabilities working full or part-time as compared to 78% of the rest of the population.”

“The 2004 Harris Survey on Disability Trends” Conducted by The National Organization on Disability (NOD)

Working with Employers

Introduction

“Two out of three (63%)of those who are not working would prefer to work.”

“The 2004 Harris Survey on Disability Trends” Conducted by The National Organization on Disability (NOD)

Working with Employers

Introduction ►Since 1986, 18 years ago, the employment rate for ALL people with disabilities has only increased ONE PERCENT (34% in 1986 vs. 35% in 2004) 65% unemployment rate

“The 2004 Harris Survey on Disability Trends” Conducted by The National Organization on Disability (NOD)

Working with Employers

Introduction ►For people with more severe disabilities, the employment report is even bleaker. Only

• ne in five Americans with severe disabilities

has at least a part-time job 79% unemployment rate

“The 2004 Harris Survey on Disability Trends” Conducted by The National Organization on Disability (NOD)

Working with Employers

The Employment Puzzle

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

There are Four Critical Pieces to the Employment Puzzle: 1. Individuals who want to work 2. Government Commitment 3. Provider Commitment 4. EMPLOYERS

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

American businesses will face a shortage of 10,000,000 workers by 2010 (151 million vs. 141 million)

Website: www.usbln.com

Business Commitment

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Position

• n Hiring Workers with Disabilities

In October 2003, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Dept. of Education released a guidebook for employers titled,

Disability Employment 101: Learn to Tap Your “Hire” Potential

For a copy: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/products/employmentguide/ Or call the Chamber’s Center for Workforce Preparation at: 202-463-5525

Business Commitment

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Position on Hiring Workers with Disabilities Also published:

Disability: Dispelling the Myths

Center for Workforce Preparation An Affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

For copies, go to: www.uschamber.com/cwp Or phone the Chamber’s Center for Workforce Preparation at: 202-463-5525

Business Commitment

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Position on Hiring Workers with Disabilities

“…Employers tell us that, once hired, this labor source provides some of the best employees within a corporation. They are generally dependable, dedicated, hardworking, and productive.”

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue October 2003

Business Commitment

Working with Employers

Business Commitment “Hiring a worker with a disability is both a retention and an employment strategy – workers with disabilities have higher than average retention rates and company loyalty.”

“Disability: Dispelling the Myths” Center for Workforce Preparation An Affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Working with Employers

Business Commitment

A 2002 survey of 255 supervisors of employees with disabilities found that their supervisors are satisfied with their overall performance and productivity,and that they perform as well or better than their peers without disabilities.

Working with Employers

Business Commitment

Most workers with disabilities are not job hoppers!

Working with Employers

Business Commitment

What Florida employers have to say about their employees with disabilities.

Working with Employers

Employer Testimonial

Pictured: Swanzetta Green, Receptionist, with Dan Hughen

“As with many employers, we initially had some reservations about hiring an individual with a disability, but after working with Swanzetta for the past several years, I wish everyone at our office had the same professionalism she displays day after day. People with disabilities are people. You get the same range of personalities as you do with people without obvious disabilities. Considering people with disabilities will increase your chances of finding the quality employees you are looking for.” Dan Hughen

United Way of Big Bend, Tallahassee, FL

Working with Employers

Employer Testimonial

Pictured: Emmie Ledsinger, Marion Roberts and Queenell Fox

“Marion is the data specialist for the Prospect Research Department and has proved to be one of the best employees the FSU Foundation has hired. On one hand, Marion is just the same as every other employee at the Foundation, but on the other hand, we cannot say enough good things about her…Her boss’s only fear is that Marion will be stolen by another department.”

Queenell Fox Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Working with Employers

Employer Testimonial

Picutred: Barbara Torres, Hostess, with Robert Friedman

“Hiring a person with a disability is a win-win-win. The employer wins, the employee wins and our community wins.”

Robert Friedman Partner Holland and Knight LLP

Working with Employers

Business Commitment

Why do so many people with disabilities remain unemployed?

Working with Employers

Business Commitment

Employer Myth #1:

“Accommodations are too expensive!”

Most accommodations (81%) cost under $100 and 73% of employers found that their employees with disabilities did not require accommodations.

Working with Employers

Business Commitment

Employer Myth #2:

“I’ll be sued!”

Very few businesses experience disability-related

• claims. In a 2003 survey, 91% of respondents

indicated that they were not aware of any ADA complaints filed against their companies in the last 12 months. EEOC FY2005 data show that people with disabilities filed fewer claims than people of color, gender or age.

Working with Employers

Business Commitment Consumers with disabilities represent an enormous market niche. People with disabilities have a combined income of more than $1 trillion with $220 billion in discretionary income. In comparison, the teen market controls $140 billion.

“Disability: Dispelling the Myths” Center for Workforce Preparation An Affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Working with Employers

Business Commitment

Working with Employers

Business Commitment Marketing studies have shown that 54% of households patronize businesses that feature people with disabilities in their ads. Disability friendly businesses earn the lucrative and loyal patronage of people with disabilities, their families and friends

“Disability: Dispelling the Myths” Center for Workforce Preparation An Affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Working with Employers

Business Commitment

A national survey of 803 consumers randomly selected from across the U.S., found that 92% felt more favorable toward companies that hire people with disabilities and 87% said they would prefer to give their business to such companies. Among those surveyed, hiring people with disabilities ranked third behind offering health insurance to all employees and protecting the environment.

A National Survey of Consumer Attitudes Toward Companies That Hire People with Disabilities

Center for Social Development and Education, University of Massachusetts, in collaboration with the America’s Strength Foundation and The Gallup Organization Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, January 2006

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

The purpose of the BLNs is to create awareness of the skills and abilities of workers with disabilities through the

• rganization of an

employer-to-employer network. Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Organization of the local Florida BLNs is funded by grants from the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Workforce Florida, Inc. Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

The BLNs are affiliated with The Able Trust’s* Statewide BLN Steering Committee

*Also known as the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities – www.abletrust.org

and The United States BLN

Website: www.usbln.com

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Staff support is provided by Wilson Resources, Inc. Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

The Miami-Dade Business Leadership Network (BLN) The first meeting was held in April 2004, hosted by Holland and Knight LLC and Best Buddies Jobs. Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

The Big Bend Business Leadership Network (BLN)

The first meeting was held in October 2004, sponsored by the presidents of Tallahassee Community College, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Premier Bank, and the FL Agency for Persons with Disabilities director.

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Mission Statement

The Business Leadership Network educates and encourages employers to recruit, hire, train and retain employees with disabilities as part of promoting good business practices.

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Big Bend BLN’s Vision:

• Create scholarship opportunities for students with

disabilities.

• Create a link between educational institutions, the local

business community, government agencies and service providers.

• Maximize employment opportunities for all individuals

who want to work.

• Improve the lives of people with disabilities through

gainful employment.

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLNs Across the United States

There are 43 Business Leadership Networks in 32 states. The United States BLN is funded by SunTrust Bank.

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Florida’s Local BLNs Funded by Workforce Florida and APD

Established BLNs: Miami Dade, Big Bend, Polk, First Coast (Jacksonville), Greater Orlando, Tampa Bay Metro Developing BLNs: Palm Beach, Panama City, Gainesville and Ft. Myers

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve the Mission:

• Kick-Off Events
• Bi-monthly Postcards
• Training Events: Turning Diversity into Dollars…

The Many Benefits of Hiring Workers with Disabilities

• Workshops and Presentations
• Customized Training at Employers’ Worksites
• BLN’s Paid Internship Initiative

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLN Activities to Achieve the Mission:

• Cooperative Training Events with Local Chambers of

Commerce and Societies for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

• Website: www.MyAbilities.org
• Employer Awareness Campaign - Billboards, Busboards,

Posters, Video, Public Service Announcement

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Local Florida BLN Awards & Recognition

• 2005 Miami Dade BLN Won the United States BLN Chapter of the

Year Award

• 2005 EEOC named Florida’s local BLNs a model public/private

partnership

• 2006 Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities won USBLN

Partner of the Year for Funding the Local BLNs

• 2006 Comcast Cable won USBLN Employer of the Year for its

work with the Big Bend BLN

• 2007 Big Bend BLN Won 2007 Florida BLN Chapter of the Year
• 2007 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Won Florida Employer
• f the Year for its Work with the local BLNs
• 2007 Holland and Knight Law Firm Won USBLN Employer of the

Year for its work with the local BLNs

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

“People with disabilities have a lot to contribute to their communities and to employers who are smart enough to reach out to them…I want to challenge every

• rganization here to hire a person with disabilities

this year -- and another one next year, and the year after that. This effort isn’t charity or good corporate citizenship – it’s just smart business.”

Former Governor Jeb Bush

October 18, 2005 at the Big Bend BLN Kick-Off

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

BLNs’ Employer Awareness Campaign

Use prototype materials developed and donated by Bridge House, a graphics design firm in South Beach, for the comprehensive Employer Awareness Campaign

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Shelly Brantley Governor Jeb Bush

Governor Bush loved the Employer Awareness Campaign materials – 90 second video and ads. He directed Shelly Brantley to fund an an Employer Awareness Campaign in the three areas where the original BLNs were located.

Pictured: Idelio Valdes, Jr.

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Florida Outdoor Advertising Association provided 6 billboards in the three BLN communities for 12

• months. The value was over

$160,000. Miami-Dade BLN had 15 busboards.

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Business Leadership Networks

Working with Employers

Are people getting jobs?

In a 2006 pre and post survey of 54 BLN members, it was discovered:

Part 4. Evaluation

Figure 2. Local BLNs' Employer Awareness Campaign Pre and Post Impact

36

Post Campaign

13

Pre Campaign

17

Post Campaign

7

Pre Campaign

10 20 30 40 50

Employers w ho are planning to hire people w ith disabilities as a result of the BLNs' efforts nearly tripled from 13 to 36. Employers deciding to offer internships to students w ith disabilities more than doubled, from seven to 17.

Working with Employers

The survey also found: Part 4. Evaluation

Graph 2. Employers Knowledge About Hiring People with Disabilities -- Pre and Post Employer Awareness Campaign

93% 49%

1 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1 00

Knowledge Before Knowledge After

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Part 4. Evaluation

Figure 1. Changes in the Number of People with Disabilities Applying for Employment Services and Securing Jobs Thru South Florida Workforce

Number of People

1,618 556 1,398 6,230 FY 03-04 Applying FY 04-05 Applying FY 03-04 - Finding Jobs FY 04-05 - Finding Jobs

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Conclusion People with Disabilities Want to Work

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Conclusion

The Involvement and Support of the Business Community is Critical to Decreasing the Unemployment of People with Disabilities – And Everybody Wins!

Working with Employers

SI SINGLE FACE OF GOV’T

Business Leadership Networks