It’s been decades since October was declared National Disability Employment Awareness Month, but the messages are more relevant than ever. It’s a reminder that we need to recognize the many accomplishments of workers with disabilities. They play a vital role in maintaining a strong economy and contributing their talent, innovation and hard work across industries.
Some fast facts about this growing community, according to the Center for American Progress:
- Roughly 1.45 million Americans between 16 and 65 have a disability.
- At just over 7%, the unemployment rate for these folks is at an all time low.
- Employment rates are still twice as high among non-disabled as disabled people.
While making changes internally should be considered for businesses that are lagging, there is another, quicker way to make progress: use remote communications services at organizations that hire predominantly disabled workers.
Why Should You Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month?
Society benefits when people who want to work are able to contribute to society. Still, disabled people face challenges finding work opportunities, which is why businesses need to continue looking for ways to improve accommodations so that skilled workers are able to fill more of the jobs that are available. As Forbes notes, accommodating people with disabilities is just good business. It:
- Improves employee retention
- Boosts job productivity
- Creates safer work environments for everyone
- Is good for morale
While a strong market and remote work options have helped more people with disabilities get jobs in recent years, more gains could be made in this area. One of the most efficient ways to support disabled communities is to outsource to places like Lighthouse Enterprises, which already has specialized processes built into its operations, enabling them to hire some of the most loyal and dedicated call center agents around.
How Businesses Have Improved Conditions for People with Disabilities
When disabled people make gains, the world is a better place for everyone. Yet sometimes it’s hard to see into the future to anticipate the changes that are needed to accommodate folks. Businesses can look for more ways to accommodate workers who either are or become disabled, and make changes to their workplace in anticipation of future needs.
Consider some advances that have been made in the past that we take for granted today. Prior to the American DIsabilities Act of 1990, wheelchair accessibility was far less common, and discrimination in hiring was prevalent in workplaces. Today, companies are encouraged to also ensure that the job application process and employee benefits reflect the needs of the disabled, in addition to their physical work environment.
Outsourcing Call Center Services Helps Workers with Disabilities – and Supports Research for the Visually Impaired
Another approach you could take is to focus your expertise on a specific disability that requires more intensive accommodations. For example, if your workplace doesn’t fully accommodate the visually impaired, outsourcing to Lighthouse gives you access to a call center with low-vision expertise that already has all the necessary assistive technology in place, and also supports community programming for optometric care.
Ongoing research is also crucial to gains in this area. Lighthouse has served as the testing center for the trial of the world’s first wireless intracortical visual prosthesis (ICVP), groundbreaking technology that has shown promise in enabling a form of artificial vision in the participants using it. By partnering with us, you will also be supporting research that could potentially help countless future workers.
Lighthouse Enterprises Provides Flexible Customer Service Solution
Organizations like Lighthouse that invest in training, technology and accommodations for their workers have been a big part of the solution. Partnering with Lighthouse Enterprises means you are supporting the employment and empowerment of the blind and visually impaired, as well as veterans and other disabled groups, all of which contributes to a more inclusive society.
Contact Lighthouse Enterprises to find out more about how our exceptional call center services can help you improve efficiency and create more satisfied customers at your organization!