Employers: Resources

The Missouri Employer Resource Guide was created to provide Missouri Employers with a comprehensive source of current information to help employers who wish to hire workers with disabilities. A recent study conducted by University of Massachusetts Boston’s Center for Social Development & Education in collaboration with Americas Strength Foundation and published in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (Vol.24 Issue1, IOS Press) reported that American consumers are responding positively to companies that are considered to be socially responsible, and increasingly count those that hire disabled workers among that group. The study showed that 92 percent of consumers surveyed felt more favorable toward companies that hire individuals with disabilities and 87 percent said they would prefer to give their business to such companies.

Empower Missouri hopes that employers will embrace the concept that inclusiveness includes people with disabilities and allow the Missouri Employer Resource Guide to help strengthen their bottom line with the hiring of people with disabilities. The hiring of people with disabilities is good for business and it makes good business sense to embrace the concept. The Chairman, President and CEO of SunTrust Banks Mid-Atlantic indicated that the returns to his bank can be measured in numerous ways to include, assisting with their diversity initiative and building a strong workforce; assisting with product development and the expansion of customers services and, helping the company with its’ involvement with the community.

Resources

Columbia, Missouri area resources

Missouri Employers Resource Guide

Missouri Resource Guide for Workers with Disabilities

August 2007 Evaluation of Training on Personal Assistance and Employment

June 2007 Focus Group on Employment with Persons with Mental Illness

June 2007 Survey about Employment for Persons with Mental Illness

December 2007 Survey about Missouri Sheltered Workshops

December 2007 Survey about Employment for People with Disabilities (pre-and post-test)