The Idaho Department of Labor’s Pocatello office is sponsoring a seminar for employers on the value of hiring disabled workers.
Discovering Idaho’s Untapped Work Force will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Scout Mountain Room in Labor’s local office at 430 N. 5th Ave. in Pocatello.
Participating employers will receive information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Job Accommodation Network and on working with individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing.
Disabled people offer businesses a solid pool of skilled workers who are well suited to uncertain conditions because they have already learned to be flexible, overcome adversity and solve problems as they have handled their disability. In addition, experts have estimated that for every dollar spent accommodating a person with a disability, the employer saves $34 in workers’ compensation and other insurance premiums and training costs.
“It's ability, not disability, that counts,” said seminar organization and Labor Consultant Beth Larson.
Employers wishing to participate in the seminar should contact Larson at Beth.Larson@labor.idaho.gov or at (208) 236-6710 ext. 3504 by Feb 3.