Accessibility at Work

Accessible businesses are good for business. Accessibility isn’t just about meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; businesses that are more accessible and accommodating to the needs of people with disabilities can potentially tap into a large customer base that they could be missing. The ADA Business Connection website offers more information on this opportunity, and the resources below can help businesses attract, employ, serve, and support people with disabilities. 

Accessibility Training Opportunities

Disability Etiquette

The United Spinal Association provides a booklet on disability etiquette that includes tips for interacting with people with disabilities.

Job Accommodation Network

The Job Accommodation Network is a service provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). JAN is one of several ODEP projects. JAN's mission is to facilitate the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, entrepreneurship, and related subjects. 

National Chamber of Commerce for Persons with Disabilities, Inc. 

The mission of the National Chamber of Commerce for Persons with Disabilities is to promote the business interests of businesses run by people with disabilities and/or their direct caregivers ("Disability Businesses") and to place businesses run by people with disabilities on a level playing field with businesses run by others. 

National Network of ADA Centers

The Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) is a national network of 10 regional DBTAC: ADA Centers that provide the most complete and experienced services for up-to-date information, referrals, resources, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to businesses, employers, government entities, and individuals with disabilities, as well as media and news reporters.

Resources for Hard-of-Hearing & Deaf in the Workplace

There are many technologies available for both employers and hard-of-hearing employees for workplace adjustments and solutions. Resources for Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf in the Workplace has information about communication apps, tools, and technology for inclusion, productivity, and education.

Tax Advantages

There are several tax incentives for making a business more accessible. Available through the New Freedom Initiative, learn more about the ADA Tax Incentive Packet for businesses in the U.S.

US Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment 

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership on disability employment policy by developing and influencing the use of evidence-based disability employment policies and practices, building collaborative partnerships, and delivering authoritative and credible data on employment of people with disabilities.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is one tool in a diverse toolbox of flexible strategies designed to help move people from welfare into gainful employment and obtain on-the-job experience. It joins other tax credits, education, and workforce training programs that help American workers with barriers to employment prepare for good jobs; ease their transition from job to job; benefit from the creation of effective regional economic development strategies; and create high performance workplaces.