Utah Office of Health Disparities

Integrated, competitive employment: Good for employees, good for business  By: Edwin Walker, Acting Administrator - Administration for Community Living During National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and the value of a workforce that includes their skills and talents. Inclusive workplaces -- where people with diverse talents, experiences, and abilities work side-by-side -- benefit employees and employers alike. For example, a retail distribution center in South Carolina developed around principles of accessibility and inclusion quickly became one of the company’s most efficient centers. And there are thousands of people like Eric and William, who are thriving in integrated jobs they love. This year, the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) chose #InclusionWorks as the theme for NDEAM. As the stories above and countless others illustrate, inclusion does work. READ MORE: Integrated, competitive employment: Good for employees, good for business