Employer Information
General Information and Assistance
Oregon Business Leadership Network
The Oregon Business Leadership Network (OBLN) provides Oregon businesses with networking opportunities, education, and resources to effectively increase understanding and awareness of disability issues in the workplace. You can visit their web site at www.obln.org or call Lucy Baker directly at (503) 281-1424 or e-mail her at lucy.baker@obln.org.
Reaching out to Customers with Disabilities
Web site course describing how to make your business accessible and friendly to persons with disabilities and why you would want to do so.
ADA Technical Assistance
The Northwest ADA & IT (Americans with Disabilities Act and Information Technology) Center provides technical assistance, training, and information dissemination to individuals with disabilities, employers, service providers,and any interested party on the rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws. For immediate technical assistance regarding the ADA, creating an accessible work place, non-discriminatory hiring practices, providing accessible services or the accommodations process, you can call the center at (800) 949-4232 (8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. PST). You can also visit there web site at www.nwada.org.
Hiring People with disabilities
View HR topics regarding what is covered and what is not under the ADA, pre and post-medical exams and other resources
If you still have questions about how to accommodate a particular need, visit Job Accommodation Network’s Searchable On-line Accommodation Resource Where you can choose from a list of disabilities, list of functional limitations and list of work tasks to see what accommodations might be of assistance or you can call them directly at 1-800-526-7234 and ask a specific question.
Personal Assistants as a reasonable accommodation
Visit this web site to learn information about how the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission view the use of personal assistants in the workplace.
Providing Accommodations
There are five main steps to providing accommodations
- Document the request (keep a record of your efforts to provide the accommodation, requests for medical clarification from the employee-s doctor, etc.)
- What tasks are difficult for the individual (essential or marginal functions of the job)
- What are the possible ways to accommodate (tools, software, job restructuring, flexible schedule, extra time, etc.)
- How will the accommodation be made? (how will it be paid for?, Who will buy it?, Who will do the training?, etc.)
- Evaluation of its use (Is it helping the employee perform better?, Is more training needed?, Is a different solution needed?) The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requires that you document an evaluation of the effectiveness of the accommodation.
Sample Accommodation request form
You can use this form as a part of documenting the request for an accommodation.
Free consultations and demonstrations of accommodations can be provided by Enablemart at 1-888-640-1999. They will also provide free training and technical assistance for any purchased products. You can view their products and reviews on their web site: www.enablemart.com.
Access Technologies, Inc. provides consultations on ergonomics, accessibility and assistive technology, demonstrations of products and low-cost rentals. You can call them at Toll-free voice/TTY: 1-800-677-7512 or visit their web site at www.accesstechnologiesinc.com.
Guide for determining essential functions of the job and legal requirements for job descriptions
Tax Credits and Other Work Incentives
Includes Work Opportunity, Welfare to Work and Dependant Care tax credit descriptions.
For more information about Oregon's tax credits, you can contact Edward Jassmann of the Oregon Employment Department at (503) 947-1672.
Or e-mail him at edward.jassmann@state.or.us.
Preferred Worker Program
Preferred Worker Program for injured workers has a wealth of services and financial incentives for hiring or keeping an employee with a work-related injury. Some of the services include wage subsidies, moving expenses, modification evaluations and the purchase of modifications. Visit their web site at www.oregonpwp.info or call them directly at (800) 445-3948.
Other tax credits for purchasing accommodations or making architecture accessible.
Special Circumstances
Customized Employment Information
Information about customized employment strategies such as job carving, job sharing and job creation. Provided by Training and Technical Assistance for Providers (T-TAP).
DOL permits the use of time-limited waivers when a youth with a disability is undergoing a vocational evaluation or work assessment in partnership with a community business. More information about wage issues can be found at your state’s Bureau of labor and Industries (BOLI) at www.oregon.gov/boli or at the U. S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division at http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/.
Commensurate wages and subsidies
If you truly believe that a worker with a disability is not performing to a standard level, you have a legal right to pay less than the average worker according to the Department of Labor. However, it is also important to complete the subsidy form in order to show how they are performing substandard work. For more information about the wage and hour limitations visit the DOL website. Call Oregon Advocacy for technical assistance at (800) 452-1694.
Recruitment Avenues
National Business Disability Council
You can recruit qualified employees by viewing the posted resumes on this website. This organization also provides many other services to employers. Check out the services at the website link above.
The Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN)
Free service that connects employers looking for quality employees with skilled job candidates. Discover what employers across the nation have learned: hiring people with disabilities is a great business strategy! Visit their web site at www.earnworks.com.
Workforce Recruitment Program:
The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP) is a resource for businesses nationwide to identify qualified temporary and permanent employees from a variety of fields. Applicants are highly motivated post-secondary students and recent graduates eager to prove their abilities in the workforce. Visit their web site at www.dol.gov/odep/programs/workforc.htm.
Updated September, 2009 by Cassy Polen, Disability Program Navigator.