People with disabilities face many challenges in the workplace. They may have difficulty finding a job, keeping a job, or advancing in their careers. Disability management services can help people with disabilities overcome these challenges and achieve their full potential in the workplace.
What is Disability Management?
Disability management is a process that helps employers create and maintain a work environment that is inclusive of people with disabilities. It involves identifying and removing barriers to employment, providing reasonable accommodations, and supporting employees with disabilities in their work.
Benefits of Disability Management
Disability management can benefit both employers and employees. For employers, disability management can help to:
- Increase productivity and reduce absenteeism
- Improve employee morale and retention
- Reduce the risk of lawsuits
- Create a more inclusive workplace
For employees with disabilities, disability management can help to:
- Find and keep a job
- Advance in their careers
- Be more productive and engaged in their work
- Live independently
How to Access Disability Management Services
There are many different ways to access disability management services. Some employers offer disability management programs directly. Others may partner with outside organizations to provide these services.
If you are an employee with a disability, the first step is to talk to your employer about disability management services. They can provide you with information about the services that are available and help you to access them.
You can also contact the following organizations for more information about disability management services:
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- The National Council on Disability (NCD)
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Using Disability Management Services
Once you have accessed disability management services, you can begin to use them to overcome the challenges you face in the workplace. Disability management services can provide you with a variety of supports, including:
- Job placement assistance
- Reasonable accommodations
- Assistive technology
- Training and development
- Support groups
Disability management services can also help you to develop a plan to achieve your career goals.
Conclusion
Disability management services can help people with disabilities achieve their full potential in the workplace. By providing a variety of supports, disability management services can help people with disabilities find and keep jobs, advance in their careers, and be more productive and engaged in their work.
Additional Resources
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- The National Council on Disability (NCD)
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Useful Tables
| Disability Type | Number of People Affected |
|---|---|
| Physical disabilities | 28.5 million |
| Mental health disabilities | 21.7 million |
| Learning disabilities | 7.6 million |
| Sensory disabilities | 4.6 million |
| Service | Provided By | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Job placement assistance | Disability management service provider | Varies |
| Reasonable accommodations | Employer | Varies |
| Assistive technology | Disability management service provider or employer | Varies |
| Training and development | Disability management service provider or employer | Varies |
| Support groups | Disability management service provider or employer | Free or low-cost |
Step-by-Step Approach to Disability Management
- Identify the need for disability management services. This can be done by talking to employees with disabilities, conducting a needs assessment, or reviewing data on employee absenteeism and turnover.
- Develop a disability management plan. This plan should include goals, objectives, and strategies for meeting the needs of employees with disabilities.
- Implement the disability management plan. This can involve providing reasonable accommodations, training employees on disability etiquette, and creating a supportive work environment.
- Monitor and evaluate the disability management plan. This will help to ensure that the plan is effective and meeting the needs of employees with disabilities.