Building an Inclusive 

Workforce

A Four-Step Reference Guide to 

Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining 

Employees with Disabilities

Introduction

STEP 1 - Embrace Inclusive Strategies 

STEP 2 - Create an Inclusive Culture

STEP 3 - Recruit and Hire

STEP 4 - Retain and Advance Employees

Resources and Links for Federal Agencies
Competence and Flexibility...

...they are vital skills that employers seek. Today more than ever, businesses need 

people with the ability to adapt to different situations and circumstances. And 

perhaps more than any other group, people with disabilities possess precisely these 

attributes. On a daily basis, people with disabilities must think creatively about 

how to solve problems and accomplish tasks. In the workplace, this translates into 

innovative thinking, fresh ideas, and

Helen Chang, 

Web Developer

 varied approaches to 

confronting challenges and achieving success.

While research shows that people with disabilities make 

excellent employees, not all employers know how to 

effectively recruit, retain, and advance individuals 

with disabilities. That’s where this booklet can help. 

It provides a quick outline of four simple steps to 

increasing workforce inclusion, complete with web 

links to resources available to help businesses 

benefit from the talents of qualified individuals 

with disabilities.

(Continued on next page)

Introduction
Competence and Flexibility...

(Continued from previous page)

Introduction

Elaine Robnett Moore,

Jewelry Designer and Educator

This tool was developed by the U.S. Department 

of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy 

(ODEP). To learn more about DOL’s efforts to 

increase employment opportunities for people 

with disabilities, visit ODEP’s website at 

dol.gov/odep. 

The people featured in this guide are people 

with disabilities—not models—photographed in 

their workplaces. Some of their disabilities are 

apparent, some are not. They reflect just a few 

of the millions of people with disabilities who 

add value to America’s workplaces and 

economy every day.
Embrace Inclusive Strategies

When it comes to doing business, including workers with disabilities offers a 

competitive edge. By incorporating people with disabilities into their human capital 

strategies, employers expand their pool of talent, skills, and creative business solutions. 

The resources below illustrate how workplace practices that include people with 

disabilities benefit everyone and make good business sense.

•	Inclusion@Work	Framework

 A multimedia policy tool that outlines seven core components 

of a disability-inclusive workplace, along with a menu of 

strategies for achieving them 

AskEARN.org/inclusion-work

•	Employer	Engagement	Strategy	Final	

Report

 Discusses workplace diversity and inclusion and 

commitment to hire workers with disabilities 

dol.gov/odep/pdf/20150201EESFinalReport.pdf

•	Tax	Incentives

 Description of various tax incentives for which 

employers who hire people with disabilities 

may qualify 

AskJAN.org/topics/taxinc.cfm

(Continued on next page) Patty Rivas, 

Store Owner and

Social Worker

STEP 1 - Embrace Inclusive Strategies 
STEP 1 - Embrace Inclusive Strategies

Embrace Inclusive Strategies

(Continued from previous page)

•	Business	$ense

 Monthly newsletter featuring disabilityrelated topics of interest to employers 

dol.gov/odep/businesssense

•	Disability	Employment	Policies	

in	Practice

	 Photographic	profiles	of	

individuals with disabilities 

working in a variety of 

occupations and industries 

dol.gov/odep/profiles

Carson Bartlet,

Restaurant Employee
STEP 2 - Create an Inclusive Culture

Create an Inclusive Culture

Organizations that value and appreciate each person for their individual differences and 

experiences benefit from diverse perspectives. Creating such an inclusive culture isn’t 

difficult, but does require some forethought. The resources below can foster a welcoming 

work environment that is flexible and open to the talents of all qualified individuals, 

including those with disabilities.

•	What	can	YOU	do?	Campaign	for	Disability	Employment

 Nationwide campaign that offers a range of resources

 to assist organizations to implement internal 

 disability employment awareness programs

whatcanyoudocampaign.org

•	National	Disability	Employment

Awareness Month

Annual outreach effort that raises

 awareness about disability employment

 issues and celebrates the many and varied

 contributions of America’s workers 

 with disabilities

dol.gov/odep/topics/NDEAM.htm

•		Small	Business	&	Disability		

Employment: Steps to Success

Outlines effective strategies for 

small businesses for recruiting 

and	retaining	qualified	people		

with disabilities 

AskEARN.org/StepsToSuccess

(Continued on next page)

Jeffery Krauthamer,

Receptionist
STEP 2 - Create an Inclusive Culture

Create an Inclusive Culture

(Continued from previous page) 

•		Fostering	Disability-Inclusive	Workplaces	Through	Employee	

 Resource Groups

			Explores	 	how	Employee	Resource	Groups	can	benefit	employee	and	employer	alike

 AskEARN.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/askearn_employeeresourcegroup_

 factsheet.pdf

•	A	Toolkit	for	Establishing	and	Maintaining	Successful	Employee	

 Resource Groups 

 Guidance for employers interested in developing or enhancing an Employee

 Resource Group (ERG) focused on disability 

 AskEARN.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/erg_toolkit.pdf

•	Mental	Health	Toolkit:	Resources	for	Fostering	a

 Mentally Healthy Workplace 

 Helps employers learn about mental health and cultivate

 a welcoming and supportive work environment for

 employees who have mental health conditions 

 AskEARN.org/mentalhealth

•	Emergency	Preparedness	Resources

 Effective emergency plans and resources

 for employees with disabilities

 dol.gov/odep/topics/

 EmergencyPreparedness.htm

(Continued on next page)

R.J. Martin, 

Circulation 

Clerk at a 

County 

Library
STEP 2 - Create an Inclusive Culture

Create an Inclusive Culture

(Continued from previous page)

•	Disability	Etiquette	Resources

 Information about disability etiquette in various workplace settings, including

 speaking engagements and customer service environments 

 AskJAN.org/topics/disetiq.htm

•	Disability	Nondiscrimination	Law	Advisor

 Guidance for employers on determining which federal disability nondiscrimination 

 laws apply to their business or organization and how to ensure compliance with them

 dol.gov/elaws/odep.htm

•		Do	Ask,	Do	Tell:	Encouraging	Employees	with	Disabilities	to		 	

Self-Identify

				Explores	research	related	to	disability	disclosure	in	the	workplace	and	identifies	

strategies for encouraging it in the context of the updates to Section 503 of the 

Rehabilitation Act

 AskEARN.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/do_ask_do_tell.pdf

For additional resources related to creating an inclusive culture, visit 

ODEP’s Diversity and Inclusion webpage at: dol.gov/odep/topics/ 

diversityandinclusion.htm and Changing Attitudes webpage: 

dol.gov/odep/topics/changingattitudes.htm.
STEP 3 - Recruit and Hire

The goal of the recruitment and hiring process is to attract and identify 

individuals who have the best mix of skills and attributes for the job available. 

Ensuring	that	all	qualified	individuals—including	those	with	disabilities—

can participate in the process is critical to achieving this goal. The resources 

below can assist in understanding how to be disability inclusive in recruiting 

and hiring.

•		Employer	Assistance	and	Resource	Network

on	Disability	Inclusion	(EARN)

Free consultation and technical assistance

 for employers seeking to recruit and hire

			qualified	individuals	with	disabilities

AskEARN.org 

•	Workforce	Recruitment

			Program	(WRP)

Program that connects employers with

 pre-screened, highly motivated college

 students and recent graduates with

 disabilities seeking internships or

 permanent employment

dol.gov/odep/wrp

(Continued on next page)

John Winfrey,

Senior Technical

Account Manager

Recruit and Hire
STEP 3 - Recruit and Hire

Recruit and Hire

(Continued from previous page)

•	American	Job	Centers

 Nationwide network of centers that can 

			help	businesses	find	qualified	workers,	

 including workers with disabilities

 servicelocator.org; 1-877-USA-JOBS

•	Vocational	Rehabilitation	Agencies

 State agencies that link employers to 

 job candidates with disabilities in their 

 local areas

 soar.AskJAN.org/IssueConcern/214

•	Partnership	on	Employment	and	

			Accessible	Technology	(PEAT)

 Multi-faceted initiative promoting the 

 employment, retention, and career 

 advancement of people with disabilities 

 through the development, adoption and 

 promotion of accessible technology

 PEATworks.org

•	TalentWorks

 A service of PEAT that helps employers 

and human resource (HR) professionals 

make their eRecruiting technologies 

accessible	to	all	job	seekers—including		

those with disabilities

 PEATworks.org/talentworks

(Continued on next page)

Meg Krause,

Public Relations 

Professional 

and Veteran
Recruit and Hire

(Continued from previous page)

•	Inclusive	Internship	Programs:	A	How-to	Guide	for	Employers

 Provides background and guidance on establishing inclusive internship programs

 dol.gov/odep/pdf/InclusiveInternshipPrograms.pdf

For additional resources related to the recruitment and hiring of people with 

disabilities, visit ODEP’s Recruitment and Retention webpage at

dol.gov/odep/topics/recruitmentandretention.htm and Accommodations 

webpage at dol.gov/odep/topics/accommodations.htm.

STEP 3 - Recruit and Hire

Meghan Jones, 

Office Clerk
Retain and Advance 

Valued	Employees

STEP 4 - Retain and Advance Employees

Employers	and	employees	both	benefit	from	a	work	environment	that	

facilitates	the	retention	of	all	skilled,	qualified	workers	through	effective	job	

accommodations for employees with disabilities. The resources below can 

assist	in	understanding	how	to	effectively	retain	the	talents	of	qualified	

employees with disabilities and help them advance and achieve 

workplace success.

•		Job	Accommodation	Network	(JAN)

				Free,	expert,	and	confidential	guidance	

on workplace accommodations for 

employees with disabilities 

 AskJAN.org; 1-800-526-7234 

(Voice); 1-877-781-9403 (TTY)

•		Employer	Assistance	and	

Resource	Network	on	

			Disability	Inclusion	(EARN) 

 Free consultation and technical 

assistance for employers seeking 

to retain and advance employees 

with disabilities 

 AskEARN.org/topics/retention- 

 advancement/ 

•	Return-to-Work	Toolkit

 Information about the return-towork process and resources to 

help get employees back on the

 job quickly and smoothly after

 illness or injury 

 dol.gov/odep/return-to-work

(Continued on next page) 

Eric Wright,

Lead Technologist
STEP 4 - Retain and Advance Employees

(Continued from previous page)

Retain and Advance 

Valued	Employees

•	Workplace	Accommodation	Toolkit

 Resources and guidance on inclusive practices 

related to the reasonable accommodation process

 AskJAN.org/toolkit

•	Workplace	Accommodations:	Low	Cost,

 High Impact

 Summary of research revealing the low cost of 

 accommodations for employees with disabilities 

 relative to their positive impact

 AskJAN.org/topics/costs.cfm 

•	Customized	Employment/Flexible	

 Work Arrangements

 Information about customized employment, 

a	flexible	work	arrangement	that	can	help

 employers retain valued employees, 

 including those with disabilities

 dol.gov/odep/topics/customizedemployment.htm

•	Soft	Skills

 Introduction to workplace interpersonal 

 and professional skills for employees

 dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills

(Continued on next page) 

Legislative Affairs 

Kathy Peery,

Specialist for a 

Federal Agency
STEP 4 - Retain and Advance Employees

Retain and Advance

Valued	Employees

(Continued from previous page)

•		Supporting	Employees	Who	Experience	Unexpected	Illness	or	Disability

 Factsheet on Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work strategies

 dol.gov/odep/pdf/20140917StayAtWork.pdf

•	Job	Accommodation	Network	Multimedia	Training	Microsite

 Provides resources for employers to conduct training on disability employment

 topics for individuals or groups of employees

 AskJAN.org/events/Multimedia-Training-Microsite.cfm

For additional resources related to retaining and advancing people 

with disabilities, visit ODEP’s Recruitment and Retention webpage at 

dol.gov/odep/topics/recruitmentandretention.htm and Accommodations 

webpage at dol.gov/odep/topics/accommodations.htm.
Resources and Links for Federal Agencies

Resources	and	Links

for Federal Agencies

As the nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government must model effective 

policies and practices that advance America’s ideal of equal opportunity for 

all. Regulations implementing Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 

(Section 501) specify that federal agencies must become model employers 

of individuals with disabilities. Federal agencies are required to develop and 

maintain	“an	affirmative	action	program	plan”	for	the	hiring,	placement,	and	

advancement of individuals with disabilities.

The	resources	on	the	next	two	pages	can	assist	in	fulfilling	this	directive.

•	Toolkit	for	Federal	Agencies	on	Hiring	People	with	Disabilities

			Outline	of	five-step	process	and	related	resources	to	assist	federal	agencies					

 to increase the employment of people with disabilities

 dol.gov/odep/federal-hire

•	Federal	Exchange	on	Employment	&	Disability	(FEED)

 An interagency working group focused on information sharing, best

 practices, and collaborative partnerships designed to make the Federal

 Government a model employer of people with disabilities 

 AskEARN.org/topics/federal-state-government-employment/federal-

 government-employment/section-501/federal-exchange-employment-disability-feed/

•	Federal	Agency	Employment	Strategies:	A	Framework	

 for Disability Inclusion

 Outline of proactive disability employment strategies to attract and retain 

			qualified	jobseekers	with	disabilities

 dol.gov/odep/pdf/FAEStrategies.pdf

•	Workforce	Recruitment	Program

 Program that connects federal employers with pre-screened, highly 

 motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities 

 seeking internships or permanent employment 

 dol.gov/odep/wrp

(Continued on next page)
Resources and Links for Federal Agencies

Resources	and	Links

for Federal Agencies

(Continued from previous page)

•	Schedule	A	Hiring	Authority:	Your	Fast	Track	to	Disability	Inclusion!

 Explains the use of the Schedule A hiring authority for a variety of audiences

 dol.gov/odep/pdf/20160129-ScheduleA.pdf

•	Computer/Electronic	Accommodations	Program	(CAP)

 Centrally funded accommodation program that provides assistive 

 technology and services free of charge to federal agencies 

 cap.mil

•	Federal	Workplace	Mentoring	Primer	

 Overview of basic practices, strategies, and available tools and resources 

 for establishing formal mentoring relationships and programs within 

 federal workplaces

 AskEARN.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/fed-wmp.pdf

•	Veterans	Preference	Advisor

 Guidance on preferences that veterans, including wounded warriors, 

 may be entitled to with regard to federal employment

 dol.gov/elaws/vetspref.htm

•	Federal	Disability	Hiring	Programs

			An	overview	of	initiatives	and	flexibilities	in	hiring	processes	

 intended to increase the employment of people with disabilities 

 in the Federal Government

 opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/

•	Equal	Employment	Opportunity	Commission	(EEOC)

 A resource for laws, regulations, policy guidance, fact sheets, Q & A’s, 

 best practices, and other information on disability discrimination

 eeoc.gov/laws/types/disability.cfm

For additional resources for federal employers, visit ODEP’s 

Federal Employers’ webpage at 

dol.gov/odep/topics/federalemployment.htm.

U.S.	Department	of	Labor

Office	of	Disability	Employment	Policy

dol.gov/odep
DRIVING	CHANGE	

CREATING OPPORTUNITY

Inclusion drives innovation, and disability is part 

of the equation.	This	resource	guide	provides	a	great	

starting point for employers seeking to tap into the 

talent pool 	of	qualified	individuals	with	disabilities.

U.S.	Department	of	Labor

Office	of	Disability	Employment	Policy

dol.gov/odep

To order additional copies of Building an Inclusive Workforce, go to:

orders.gpo.gov/odep.aspx

To download a digital copy of Building an Inclusive Workforce, go to:

dol.gov/odep/pubs/20100727.pdf

2019