Employers in Summit County Reap Benefits of Employing Disabled

Friday, October 01, 2010

(Akron, OH) –The County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD) is gearing up for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Over 100 employers in Summit County are already experiencing the benefits of employing people with disabilities. Employers are encouraged to participate through the Summit DD employment program which matches workers with employers’ needs.

The entire community benefits when people with disabilities are employed earning a paycheck, paying taxes, and providing for some of their own living expenses. Employers who hire “People First” and work around disabilities have employees who are loyal, reliable and inspiring to other workers. Employers also may be eligible for tax incentives for employing people with disabilities.

There are several different work situations including individual employment, contract work, group employment, the JET program for young adults. The Community Employment department matches individuals with the right employer and provides support with follow-along services. Ten community service centers throughout Summit County provide employment in a supervised setting through contract work obtained by Weaver Industries. In addition to those programs, new this year is the microenterprise program developed to provide support for individuals with disabilities who want to start their own business venture.


Tags for this item: Employment