Myths and stereotypes continue to create barriers for those with disabilities seeking employment. In honor of National Disability Awareness Month, we are reminding everyone of the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities by raising awareness of disability employment issues. One of those issues is an inclusive business environment for everyone.
What it takes to build an inclusive business culture
Evaluating your company’s policies
Equal employment opportunities should be presented to everyone as part of your company’s strategic mission. Therefore, start by developing policies that communicate why everyone must be committed to including workers with disabilities.
Creating a team-oriented environment
To support the recruiting, hiring and advancement of people with disabilities, an organization can do this by building a team of allies. These members should include all types of employees, from executives to managers.
Educating and reinforcing inclusion
Regular communication is vital to reinforce that commitment to disability inclusion is crucial. Employees need to understand what that means and looks like, so it’s essential to provide regular training on the issues facing the disability community. The most important ones revolve around recruitment, promotion and retention.
Communicating inclusion to others
How inclusion is communicated to retain employees with disabilities will make a difference. In addition, your customers can evaluate organizations based on how people with disabilities are placed within the organization. The return on investment needs to be seen by those hiring people with disabilities, such as higher productivity, lower absenteeism and turnovers, and increased employee morale.
Learn how Weaver maximizes the independence and personal fulfillment of individuals with disabilities through community, business and family partnerships by following our upcoming blog posts. We’ll be discussing more on inclusion, along with “Spotlighting What’s Next.”
Micro-internships in supported employment offer employers a simple way to create inclusive, short-term work opportunities that help individuals with disabilities build skills and confidence. These structured projects allow businesses to evaluate talent, strengthen their teams and expand opportunity while creating meaningful pathways to long-term success through thoughtful support and clear expectations.
Supported employment is about more than job placement — it’s about helping individuals set and reach meaningful goals that build confidence, independence and long-term stability. At Weaver Industries, goal setting starts with listening and turns personal hopes into clear, achievable steps, with ongoing support along the way. As individuals grow, their goals evolve, making employment not just a paycheck, but a pathway to purpose, progress and belonging.
Weaver Industries delivers supported employment by matching individuals with disabilities to jobs that align with their strengths, interests, and support needs. Through its Supported Integration® model and ongoing job coaching, Weaver creates meaningful, sustainable employment that benefits both participants and employers while strengthening inclusive workplaces.