Hidden Talent

How Leading Companies Hire, Retain, and Benefit from People with Disabilities

Mark L. Lengnick-Hall

• Publisher: Praeger
• Year: 2007
• Print ISBN: 9780275992897
• eBook ISBN: 9780313086953
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Management
• Index: Business

Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, many forms of discrimination against people with disabilities are still practiced, denying opportunity for employees, as well as the employers who might hire and support them. Based on a multi-year research project by a team of experts in human resource management, economics, and communications, Hidden Talent showcases the innovative practices of organizations that are actively hiring, training, and retaining people with disabilities—and thriving as a result. The authors reveal the roots of disability discrimination and demonstrate the benefits, to employers and employees alike, of investing in disabled workers, featuring in-depth case examples. Additional resources, including an overview of the ADA, information on tax and legal incentives, and listing of related publications, organizations, and websites, will make this book essential for anyone researching, managing, or experiencing the dynamics of disability in the workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990 to protect and assist over 20 million people with disabilities. Though its mandates for business are far-reaching, many forms of discrimination are still practiced, denying opportunity for employees and potential employees with disabilites, as well as the companies that might hire and support them. Meanwhile, as many analysts argue, we are heading toward a high-skill labor shortage, with a largely untapped resource ready to fill the gap. Based on a multi-year research project by a team of experts in human resource management, economics, and communications, Hidden Talent showcases the innovative practices of organizations that are actively hiring, training, and retaining people with disabilities—and thriving as a result. The authors reveal the roots of disability discrimination, and demonstrate the benefits, to employers and employees alike, of investing in disabled workers, featuring in-depth case examples. Additional resources, including an overview of the ADA, information on tax and legal incentives, and a listing of related publications, organizations, and websites, will make this book essential for anyone researching, managing, or experiencing the dynamics of disability in the workplace.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• Section One The Problem and the Opportunity: People with Disabilities Need Jobs and Employers Need Workers
• Section Two Solutions: What Some Leading Companies Are Doing to Hire and Retain People with Disabilities
• Section Three Lessons Learned about Hiring and Retaining People with Disabilities
• Appendix 1 Tax Incentives for Hiring People with Disabilities
• Appendix 2 Resources for Hiring People with Disabilities
• Appendix 3 The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation
• Appendix 4 The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
• Notes
• Index
• About the Editor and Contributors