Employment

EMPLOYERS​

Replicate

What are some best practices that your business can replicate to diversify your workforce?

Disability adds another dimension to your diversity efforts, contributing to the development of unique and creative business solutions. Employees with disabilities add value to your company with varied skills and perspectives and coming from all backgrounds and age groups.  Businesses in Maryland and across the country are engaging in creative workforce solutions that may have applications for building or strengthening your workforce.

Best Practices Defined

Quality workforce development strategies for people with disabilities:

  • Provide business with a sound return on investment

  • Incorporate innovative methods

  • Include individualized skill assessments

  • Result in an integrated work environment


In Maryland…

Customized Employment Models:

Acadia Windows and Doors won the “Looking Beyond Barriers and Hiring Smart” award for modifying its workplace to meet the needs of employees with physical disabilities.

Internship Models:

The Governor’s Quest Internship Program for Persons with Disabilities is designed to attract Maryland State agencies to sponsor or mentor interns with disabilities. Employers offer interns a valuable, three-month training and learning experience that enhances skills, knowledge, and abilities. This successful program has served as a model for the development of similar internship programs in Montgomery County, the federal government and individual businesses.  Contact a DORS Employment Specialist if you are interested in replicating this program in your business at dors@maryland.gov​ or 410-554-9451. ​

The Shriver Center: Tips for Hosting an Intern, Co-Op or Research Student places more than 1,300 UMBC students in internship, cooperative education, and research experiences each year.

Mentoring Models:

​​Maryland Mentoring Partnership (MMP) is an advocate, clearinghouse, and expert resource for the advancement of youth mentoring statewide.

Telework Models:

Maryland Department of Transportation: The Telework Partnership with Employers offers free professional telework consulting services to Maryland employers.


Nationally…

Customized Employment Models:

Project Search, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital provides information on the replication of their program that provides employment and education opportunities to individuals with significant disabilities and is dedicated to workforce development that benefits the individual, community, and workplace.


Telework Models:

​Mobilework Exchange provides case studies of employers successfully incorporating telework practices.​

Resources to Replicate

Maryland

  • Acadia Windows and Doors 
    In 2008, Acadia won the “Looking Beyond Barriers and Hiring Smart” award for modifying its workplace to meet the needs of employees with physical disabilities.

  • Maryland Department of Transportation  (MDOT)
    Telework Partnership with Employers
    MDOT’s partnership provides free professional telework consulting services for Maryland employers.

  • The Shriver Center 
    The Shriver Center places over 1,300 UMBC students in internship, cooperative education, and research experiences every year and has produced a tip sheet for hosting an intern, co-op, or research student.

Nationally

  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 
    Project Search provides information on replication and dissemination of their program that provides employment and education opportunities to individuals with disabilities and is dedicated to workforce development that benefits the individual, community, and workplace.