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STUDY SHOWS HIRING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS GOOD INVESTMENT

A recent study funded by The Able Trust/Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities (FGA) shows that vocational rehabilitation services provide significant benefits to society at a low cost to Florida taxpayers. These benefits include increased earnings for clients, reduced public assistance costs and increased tax contributions among clients completing services. The Able Trust/FGA commissioned the Florida Governor's Alliance Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Employment of People with Disabilities to address several questions about employment of Florida citizens with disabilities. The results of the study found that for every public dollar spent on vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities, $16 dollars is returned to society.

The study was based on an analysis of 29,475 individuals who had received vocational rehabilitation services in Florida. All cases were closed during fiscal year 1998, with 9,598 of that total becoming gainfully employed. The study addressed the costs of unemployment of people with disabilities, costs of vocational rehabilitation services and their earnings and other benefits.

The study found that the cost to society of unemployed persons with disabilities makes up an estimated $8 - $10 billion annually, including costs in lost productivity, Social Security payments and public funds spent on health care and medical services. Traditionally, individuals with disabilities receive employment-related services from Florida's federally funded vocational rehabilitation program. The study reported that the average costs of these services were $2,917 per closed case.

Benefits to the public sector included a decrease in public assistance payments by approximately $5.3 million and an average annual increase of $20.4 million in state and federal tax contributions among clients. Benefits of vocational services for persons with disabilities who were successfully employed included total increase in earnings of $88.8 million, or $49,291 more per client over a 30-year work life had they not received services. The study also reported on indirect benefits for both taxpayers and individuals with disabilities. As a result of employing persons with disabilities, the public sector sees increased spending on goods and services due to increased earnings, and individuals experience improved self-sufficiency and quality of life.

By publishing the study The Able Trust hopes to inform the public about the economical and societal benefits of hiring people with disabilities. "Raising awareness about the employment of Floridians with disabilities is a priority for The Able Trust," said Nancy Koepke, Chair of The Able Trust. "We are constantly developing new programs to encourage employers to include people with disabilities in their labor pool."

For a complete copy of the Florida Governor's Alliance Cost-Benefit Analysis of Employment of Floridians with Disabilities, click here. [74 PDF ]