Supportive Employment – What Do I Get?

So, week one we learned about the type of people you could be hiring for your company. I probably left some of you wondering what is in it for your company. My experience before working for a non-profit was working for various accounting firms and tax preparation services for twenty-one years. While working, continuing education consisted of countless hours of training on various topics. It is with this in mind that I thought I would review some of the credits that a company can receive for hiring someone with a disability. I know you should not think about the world like that because that warm glow in your heart should be what you really want, but many people really want to know what is in it for them. Selfish to some people. Good business to others. Either way, everyone gets something with this program.

According to a study from DePaul University, disabled workers stay at jobs longer than those without disabilities. They are absent less, whether scheduled or unscheduled and performance ratings have similar outcomes to those who are not disabled. They are loyal. They hate to miss work. The company and friendships they make are sometimes more important than the paycheck. You automatically increased your pool of perspective employees. Diversity for your company is very important. If you have products that are made for people with disabilities, why wouldn’t you hire them. People like companies who put their money where their mouth is so to speak.

I know you are sitting there thinking, great I hired them, now what? Accommodations might be needed, and they can cost a pretty penny. How can I possibly afford them? Bring on the tax credits.

How about these three words: Disabled Access Credit. I feel your interest growing.

Let's try this: Work Opportunity Credit. I feel your interest just went through the roof.

The Disabled Access Credit - This credit is eligible to small businesses that have incurred expenses to comply with American with Disabilities Act of 1990. It helps a company that had to remove barriers from being accessible and usable to people with disabilities. It can also be used to provide interpreters or alternative methods of materials to hearing impaired persons, qualified readers, or audio materials for people with visual impairments, and acquire or modify equipment or devices for individuals with disabilities.

There are limitations to this credit, so please make sure you talk to your Certified Public Accountant prior to making decisions based on credits. Making physical changes may not be allowed if you are using a building placed in service after November 1 of 1990. This is because the buildings after that date should have been built with the accommodations in mind.

The Work Opportunity Credit - This credit is available to employers who hire from targeted groups who face barriers in gaining successful employment. While it covers nine targeted groups, we will focus on those with disabilities. Persons with disabilities that qualify are; disabled veterans or disabled persons who are referred from a vocational rehabilitation service. The maximum tax credit a company can receive is based on the employee hired and the length of their employment. This credit is available to all businesses and the credit ranges from $1200 to $9600. Just think how that could help your bottom line. Again, I am not a Certified Public Accountant and I ask that you speak to yours when making any financial decisions based on possible credits.

What can STEPS, Inc do to help you on your way to the financial and emotional credits we discussed? STEPS, Inc. works very closely with the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services and will be more than happy to help find the perfect referral for you. They will be happy to discuss the entire program with you. Please feel free to contact Christin Jackson at 434-315-5909 x 306.

Let us begin the work on helping get this untapped resource into your place of employment.