Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1484533
4 2 G R A P H I C S P R O • D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M try to capitalize on their willingness to accommodate, or who use disabled em- ployees as "inspiration porn" are using those employees as symbols and doing a disservice both to the employee and to the company. IT'S NOT JUST FASHIONABLE; IT'S GOOD BUSINESS Another current trend among compa- nies is the rise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. While these programs have a lot of benefits, they are often much more oriented toward race or gender than they are toward disability. If your company has a DEI program, make sure that it deals with disability as much as other forms of diversity. Whether your company has a DEI program or not, it should be communicated from the top down that all people, including those with disabilities, are valued and welcomed in your organization. Make sure this is com- municated on your website, on your so- cial media profiles, and particularly in any job openings that are posted. You should have a plan to hire and retain employees with disabilities and make an effort to find vendors who do the same. Make sure your commitment to supporting disabled work- ers is one of practice as well as theory. This initiative needs to be more than some po- litically correct or fashionable statement made to seem in sync with the times. Employing people with disabilities can be a huge benefit for any company for sev- eral reasons. First, studies have shown that people with disabilities have a higher re- tention rate and tend to be very reliable. You may also find that disabled people are looking for long-term job stability and are more likely to want to stay with a com- pany. Another benefit of having disabled people in your employee pool is the fact that there are tax credits and other incen- tives for hiring employees of this type. While those credits or incentives should not be a primary motivating factor for im- plementing a hiring program, they can be an added bonus. Your company may also derive social benef its from having a diverse work- force that includes the disabled. People Studies have shown that people with disabilities have a higher retention rate and tend to be very reliable. ikonicsimaging.com 1-800-643-1037 Underwhelmed with Laser-etched Glass? Add an IKONICS Imaging sandcarving system and oer a premium option Laser-etched Glass Sandcarved Glass Scan To Learn More