Why Participate
It Makes Good Business Sense
to Get Involved with Disability:IN Chicagoland
Why Should You Get Involved?
- In the general U.S. population, 54 million people have a disability; in Illinois, that number is nearly 1.5 million.
- In Illinois, only 36 percent of people with disabilities aged 18 to 64 are employed, compared to 75 percent of people without disabilities.
- People with disabilities have equal or higher performance rates compared to those without disabilities, are less likely to resign and move to another job, and have the lowest attrition rates of any employee group.
- People with disabilities motivate other employees and establish a positive company image.
- People with disabilities represent $1 trillion in purchasing power. Market research shows that consumers – with and without disabilities – are more likely to buy from disability-friendly businesses.
- There are tax credits and tax incentives for hiring individuals with disabilities.
Fighting Unemployment
Disability:IN Chicagoland helps address the high unemployment rate of people with disabilities. Nationally, there are almost 1.5 million people with disabilities in the U.S. who are currently unemployed and looking for work. At least one in 10 people in Illinois has some kind of disability and only 36 percent of working-age Illinois residents with disabilities are employed.
The business community needs qualified workers to fill its changing job requirements. Many employers today are unable to find qualified job applicants through their normal channels of recruitment. Employers participating in Disability:IN Chicagoland respond to this need by exploring methods to more effectively recruit, market, and hire from the talented pool of job applicants with disabilities.
Hiring individuals with disabilities can save money for taxpayers. The U.S. spends billions each year on benefits to people who, in most cases, would rather have the respect, friendships, and income that jobs and careers bring.