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FBLN News and EventsDisability Employment ArticlesNovember 7, 2005Florida Recognized Nationally for Business Partnerships That Advance Employment Opportunities for People with DisabilitiesTALLAHASSEE - Florida was one of nine states recognized in a recently released report by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on the efforts to employ more people with disabilities. The study, Final Report on Best Practices for the Employment of People with Disabilities in State Government, is the third EEOC publication released in October as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Florida was noted in the report as one of just three states which identified partnerships they have with the business community to promote the employment of individuals with disabilities. This partnership, known as the Florida Business Leadership Network (BLN), is supported by a collaboration among the nonprofit Able Trust foundation, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). Established in Florida in 1998 by The Able Trust, the Florida BLN is nationally recognized for providing employers with resources to recruit, hire, train and retain people with disabilities and diversify their customer base to include people with disabilities. Florida’s BLN has an employer membership of more than 950 small and large businesses, ranging from CEOs to human resource professionals. Employers join the BLN for free and receive access to a pool of qualified candidates with disabilities, pertinent hiring information such as tax incentives and workplace accommodations and on-site trainings. Local chapters in six Florida counties also offer members business-to-business networking opportunities. Florida BLN members such as Walt Disney World Co., NASA/Kennedy Space Center and SunTrust Bank have already benefited from their BLN membership and the employment of persons with disabilities. “The productivity and performance of our employees with disabilities is absolutely superb. I would rival them against anyone else, and they have been a true asset to the corporation,” said Pat Chaffin, SunTrust Bank Florida. A 2003 Able Trust study conducted by the Center for Information, Training and Evaluation Services at Florida State University (FSU) showed that businesses need programs like the Florida BLN to help them improve their disability hiring strategies:
According to Sharon Griffith, President of The Able Trust, more than two million people with disabilities live in Florida, but only 58-percent are employed. She said a shrinking labor pool should spur more employers to consider people with disabilities for their workforce. “Economists are predicting a shortage of workers when baby boomers retire in the coming years, so employers will be looking to diversify their workforce. Florida has programs that train hundreds of people with disabilities to go to work. Business leaders can improve their bottom line if they look to these individuals to fill their labor pool, and the Florida BLN can help them make that connection,” Griffith said. Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings says hiring people with disabilities helps Florida’s economy and business climate. “Florida businesses that break down the barriers for workers with disabilities can receive thousands of dollars in tax credits as well as get dedicated, capable employees. Plus, 72-percent of Florida companies who hired people with disabilities reported these employees had a favorable effect on their business,” Lt. Governor Jennings said. More information about the Florida BLN and resources available to businesses looking to hire people with disabilities can be found on the Internet at www.floridabln.org. |
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