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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 25 H E A LT H Y B U S I N E S S H OW TO B Y S U S A N G R E E N W O O D P eople with disabilities are often overlooked as a source of tal- ent and value as employers work toward hiring and retaining strong employee teams and maintaining a healthy bottom line. Almost 57 million Americans — 19% of our population — have a disability, a diverse group that includes people of all ages, talents, education levels and areas of expertise. It makes sense that within this large group are many potential employees who can add signifi cant experience and value to businesses in Maine and across the country. So what is stopping employers from tapping into this potential workforce? One roadblock is fear that hiring people with disabilities will require expensive accommodations or adaptations and become a fi nancial burden — a concern that can be especially salient for small businesses that make up so much of Maine's economy. e fact is that minor and low- cost adaptations are often all it takes to enable someone with a physical disability to add value and expertise to the workplace. Rick Langley, advocacy director of Disability Rights Maine, which pro- vides advocacy services to Maine citi- zens with disabilities, points out that the Americans with Disabilities Act encourages a common sense approach to problem-solving. " e reasonable accommodation provisions of the ADA simply require that an employer engage in problem solving with a qualifi ed applicant or employee, so that in situations where an accommo- dation will allow a person to perform a job, that accommodation can be negotiated," he says. "From experi- ence, we know that most workplace accommodations are inexpensive. With fl exibility, employers can craft a position in such a way that meets their needs and at the same time ensures that a qualifi ed person with a disability can do that job eff ectively." Accommodations are often sur- prisingly simple and inexpensive. Examples include providing fl exible work hours, exchanging minor tasks with other employees, changing the height of a desk or work surface to accommodate a wheelchair, or install- ing a computer screen magnifi er. Langley sees positive trends in the Maine labor market, with employers increasing their understanding of the benefi ts of employees with disabilities. " is is coming partly from employers just recognizing it's the right thing to do, and partly from an honest reckoning with the fact that Maine is facing a labor shortage in the future and employers need to be able to tap into the full talent pool that's available," he says. ese issues resonate not only on a corporate level but on a personal level as well. He tells the story of a friend and how physical challenges only reinforced his desire to be a productive member of Maine's work force. "He is the survivor of a stroke following heart surgery — and the return to work has been core to his recovery," Langley says. "His com- mitment to his job and to giving 100% comes in part from the realization that being productive, engaged and part of a work team with a mission is funda- mental for most of us. It helps him as he works toward his full potential, and his employer wisely tapped into the skills and commitment he has to off er." ere are some excellent online resources to help Maine employers and human resources professions learn more. Among them: Maine Business Leadership Network (www.mainebln.org), state of Maine (www.employmentforme. org) and the Job Accommodation Network (www.askjan.org). "It's exciting to talk about diver- sity in the workplace, because it feels like there is a movement happening in Maine," says Langley. " ere seems to be an increasing investment — by chambers of commerce, local business groups and businesses themselves — to develop workplaces that refl ect the best of Maine." By looking beyond preconceptions about ability or disability, employers open doors to a pool of potential staff members with diverse talents who are ready to contribute. e result is a richer, more inclusive and more diverse work environment that benefi ts the company and all of its employees — whether they have disabilities or not. S U S a n G r e e n W o o d i s the e xecutive dir ector of The Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness. She can be reached at SGreenWood @ cromWellcenter.orG Tap the potential of employees with disabilities www.workmedmaine.com Now accepting referrals Now accepting referrals for low cost, high quality for low cost, high quality ultrasound imaging without ultrasound imaging without having to navigate through having to navigate through a large facility. a large facility. P: 207-885-8410 | F: 207-618-8055 P: 207-885-8410 | F: 207-618-8055 www.coastal-imaging.org www.coastal-imaging.org 71 US Route One, Suite M, Scarborough ME 04074 71 US Route One, Suite M, Scarborough ME 04074 Same day appointments available! Same day appointments available! Ask your doctor Ask your doctor to call Coastal Imaging. to call Coastal Imaging.

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