Labor analysts across the State of Wisconsin agree that by 2009 many employment sectors will experience a serious shortage of qualified workers. Retiring baby boomers, the brain drain, and declining birth rates will seriously erode the supply of workers to fill available positions. As a result, employers will be required to expand their pool of applicants by including older workers and workers with disabilities. This page contains a wide variety of resources to assist you, the employer, with gathering information to effectively hire, manage, and retain older or disabled workers.
LABOR MARKET STATISTICS
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Office of Economic Advisors Web Page The Office of Economic Advisors Webpage assists economic data users to better understand the relationships between labor markets and other economic and demographic specifics. The Office helps users interpret labor force data and focus on the issues and trends influencing employment growth in the State of Wisconsin. The office publishes monthly and annual reports that provide an overview of county and state trends. These include Workforce Observations, County Workforce Profiles, Workforce Development Area Profiles, and state and regional Employment Projections and are among the collections found in OEA
Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce is the official theme selected by U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao for National Disability Employment Awareness Month - 2006. The theme echoes President George W. Bush’s New Freedom Initiative which has been in the lead, recognizing the need to promote greater job opportunities for workers with disabilities.
DISABILITY SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Disability 101: The following resources are available in your community and can connect you with qualified workers. (Document)
A Resource Guide To Recruiting, Hiring, and Employing People With disabilities. This guide developed by the Business Leadership Network provides practical information on recruiting, communication with, interviewing, and supervising workers with disabilities.
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Information For Employers Webpage This page links the user to numerous information resources relating to recruitment, training, and retention of qualified employees.
Focus on ability: Interviewing applicants with disabilities. The job interview plays a critical role in the hiring process, allowing them the opportunity to identify the individual who possesses the best mix of knowledge, skills and abilities for the position available. The information may assist employers in ensuring maximum benefit from an interview when the person being interviewed happens to have a disability.
Recruiting and Retaining the Best from America's Largest Untapped Talent Pool.
Virginia Commonwealth University website on disability resources. VCU’s Research and Training Center on Work Supports website offers a vast array of resources relating to the recruitment, hiring, training, and management of workers with disabilities.
Cornell University IRL website on disability resources. Cornell’s website provides access to excellent resources on specific disabilities including strategies for accommodating functional limitations in the workplace.
http://www.bu.edu/cpr/reasaccom/index.html This site was made possible by a grant from the Tower Foundation, a family foundation that supports research and dissemination of information about people with psychiatric disabilities. Employers and educators need practical information about reasonable accommodations for people who have psychiatric disabilities. Here’s what is available at this site:
http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/pdfs/fullreport_behavioralhealthservices.pdf An employers Guide to Behavioral Health Services. A roadmap and recommendations for evaluating, designing and implementing behavioral health services. This Guide is blueprint of strategies and best-practice recommendations that will allow employers to create and implement a system of affordable, effective and high quality behavioral health services.
Mental Health in the Work Place
Office of Disability Employment Policies Job Accommodations Network
(JAN)
www.jan.wvu.edu/
Office of Disability Employment Policies Job Accommodations Network (JAN). JAN is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by: 1) providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, 2) providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and 3) educating callers about self-employment options.
ADA Great Lakes Technical Center
http://www.adagreatlakes.org/
The Great Lakes ADA and Accessible IT Center is also known as The Disabilty and Business Technical Assistance Center(DBTAC). DBTAC provides information, materials, technical assistance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Topics addressed includes the non-discrimination requirements in employment, the obligations of state and local governments and business to ensure that programs, services and activities are readily accessible to and useable by people with disabilities. This includes access to the information
http://www.mhawisconsin.org/userimages/BUS_depressionintheworkplace.pdf
This link will take employers directly to a fact sheet for businesses on Depression in the workplace provided by Mental Health Association of Wisconsin and its website. It includes signs of depression in the workplace as well as resources.
http://www.mhawisconsin.org/education/business/
The Healthy Mind Connection, a collaborative effort between the Mental Health Association of Wisconsin and the business community, provides education, tools and resources to address mental health in the workplace. This site offers fact sheets, links, and mental health friendly workplace resources for employers. Below is the direct link for the Employer Resource Section.
http://www.mhawisconsin.org/education/business/employerresources.asp
t.org/
Partnership for Prevention is a membership organization of businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies advancing policies and practices to prevent disease and improve the health of all Americans. We seek to increase investment in preventing disease and promoting health and to make prevention a national priority.
Below is the direct link for the Worksite resources and information
http://prevent.org/content/view/25/60/
Businesses Materials for a Mental Health Friendly Workplace: Executives
Booklet: It's Part of All Our Lives Brochure
Mental Health:
http://allmentalhealth.samhsa.gov/business_execs.html
Vision and hearing related service resources
Listed below are Wisconsin-based service resources that might assist you with unmet or recurring needs you might have in dealing with sensory-related disabilities. Some of these services are available at no cost and others are based on a fee-for-service budget system. Although every attempt has been made to keep information up-to-date, availability and costing issues may change at any time. Please be sure to inquire before moving forward with any service request.
Below is a list of terms associated with sensory-related disabilities. Click on the term to acquire information from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) about that disability type and how to accommodate individuals who are experiencing difficulties on the job. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/atoz.htm
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/sensory/Staff/stafflisting.htm The office of the deaf and hard of hearing provides a comprehensive directory of interpreters. Interpreters translate messages, including intonation and emphasis, into a form of sign such as ASL that would be best understood by the consumer(s).
http://www.doa.state.wi.us/pgsub_detail.asp?linksubcat2id=18 Telecommunications service to enable people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled to communicate by TTY (text telephone) with anyone who uses a standard phone through a WTRS Communications by dialing 711.
VISION
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/blind/regionaloffices.htm The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is the government agency designated to provide assessment, training and information to adults with vision loss, their families, and professionals. This is a free service.
http://www.badgerassoc.org/programs/resources/index.html Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired provides low vision consulting, and referral information.
http://www.wcblind.org/ Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/blind/resources/brailletranscpt.htm Braille Resources in Wisconsin:
Braille Ready, Inc.
6913 Colony Drive
Madison, WI 53717
Phone: 608-833-2876
Volunteer Braillists, Inc.
517 N. Segoe Rd., Room #200
Madison, WI 53705
Phone: 608-233-0222
(8am-12pm Tues.-Fri. only)
Volunteer Services for the Visually Handicapped
803 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436
Phone: 414-286-3026
Website: http://www.vsvh.org.web18.hosting.core.com/scripts/mrdefault.asp (exit DHFS)
Email: info@vsvh.org
http://www.deaf-blind.org/ The Center provides information and referral for assistive technology resources and purchasing information
Cognitive Related Service Resources
Below is a list of terms and links associated with cognitive-related disabilities. Click on the term to acquire information from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) about that disability type and how to accommodate individuals who are experiencing difficulties associated with it. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/atoz.htm
Cognitive/Mental Illness
http://www.mhawisconsin.org/education/business/employerresources.asp Wisconsin Mental Health Association provides information, referrals, support, education and employer resources.\
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dvr/locations/default.htm Vocational Rehabilitation service locations are an excellent source for identifying local mental health service providers in your county that have experience working with employment and employers issues.
http://www.uwstout.edu/svri/services/placement.htm Projects With Industry is an excellent employer’s service provider and other community resources.
http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/MH_BCMH/index.htm Community Mental Health Services.
http://www.wra-org.org/ Wisconsin Rehabilitation Association/Job Placement Division has a long history of providing mental health services to employers. For service provider, please contact Ava Gray, NRAJPD Wisconsin Chapter president, (715) 848-4585 or agray@norcen.org
Learning Disability
http://www.ldawisconsin.com/index.htm
Learning Disabilities Association of Wisconsin. We promote awareness, communication and understanding between parents, adults with LD, educators and the community.
Motor/Physical Related Service Resources Available to Wisconsin Employers
Motor/Physical
Below is a list of terms and links associated with motor and physically-related disabilities. Click on the term to acquire information from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) about that disability type and how to accommodate individuals who are experiencing difficulties associated with it. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/atoz.htm
Back Injury
The Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute will be the premiere resource for state-of-the-art knowledge and innovative services and programs. SVRI provides Modifications to the work environment, workstation, position description, and/or work procedures increase efficiency, reduce injuries, and allow a worker with a disability to meet the demands of a job. Certified Ergonomists and Certified Assistive Technology. Practitioners recommend and implement worksite modifications and accommodations. http://svri.uwstout.edu/
http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dvr/locations/default.htm This DVR site will directly link you to local service provider in your area that has experience working with individuals with back impairments.
Fibromyalgia
http://www.uwstout.edu/svri/services/placement.htm Projects With Industry throughout west central Wisconsin is an excellent link for service
United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin http://www.cesa10.k12.wi.us/services/special_education/web/poem/common/ucp.htm Email: ucpwcw@aol.com
United Cerebral Palsy of Southeastern Wisconsin (UCPSEW)
http://www.ucpsew.org/newContactUS.html United Cerebral Palsy of Southeastern Wisconsin
7519 West Oklahoma Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53219 Telephone: 414-329-4500
TTY: 414-329-4511
Fax: 414-329-4510
Toll Free: 888-482-7739
e-mail: info@ucpsew.org
Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin
36 Broad Street, Suite 120
P.O. Box 1241
Oshkosh, WI 54902-1241
Phone: (920) 424-4071; (800) 261-1895 (Toll Free in WI)
TTY: (920) 424-4071
E-mail: cpmideastwi@vbe.com
Web: http://www.cpmideastwis.org
UCP of North Central Wisconsin
740 North Third Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Phone: (715) 842-8700; (800) 472-4408 (Toll Free)
Fax: (715) 848-3511
E-mail: kbreitenfeldt@ucp-wausau.org
Web: http://www.ucp-wausau.org
UCP of Southeastern Wisconsin
7519 West Oklahoma Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53219
Phone: (414) 329-4500; (888) 482-7739 (Toll Free)
TTY: (414) 329-4511
Fax: 414-329-4510
E-mail: info@ucpofsew.org
Web: http://www.ucpsew.org
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
National Multiple Sclerosis Wisconsin Chapter (800) 242-3358 info@wisms.org
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WIG_homepage
Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute Services placement specialist have a vast knowledge of working with individuals with MS in a work place setting. http://svri.uwstout.edu/
Department of Health and Family Services Disability Resource Coordinator.
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/disabilities/physical/OPPD.HTM
Medical Condition Service Resources Available to Wisconsin Employers
Below is a list of terms and links associated with medically-related conditions. Click on the term to acquire information from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) about that disability type and how to accommodate individuals who are experiencing difficulties associated with it. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/atoz.htm
Medical Conditions
Diabetes
Diabetes in the Workplace, Promoting Diabetes Awareness & Healthy Lifestyles at your Workplace. http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/diabetes-in-the-workplace.jsp
Developing a diabetes prevention or management program can help businesses assess the impact of diabetes in the workplace. http://www.diabetesatwork.org/diabetesatwork/
American Diabetes Foundation, Support a better life style for your employees. http://www.diabetes.org/support-the-cause/corporate-friends/healthambassador.jsp
Asthma/Cardiovascular & Chronic Digestive Disorders/ Epilepsy/Diabetes/Tuberculosis.
Accommodation/modifications may be environmental (i.e., stress situations, dust control), physical (i.e., problems such as a place to lie down), or supportive services (i.e., counseling) may also be necessary. http://www.uwplatt.edu/university/documents/Emp_Handbook/current/Part2/accomodation.html
The American Lung Association of Wisconsin has a number of educational resources for individuals seeking more information on asthma and its management. http://www.lungwi.org/wi/asthma/links.asp
Arthritis
Arthritis in the Work Place, A Physicians Checklist. http://www.arthritis.org/resources/workplace/physical.asp
HIV/AIDS
WI HIV/AIDS Prevention Training System. http://www.wihivpts.wisc.edu/
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin http://www.arcw.org/
Wisconsin AIDS/HIV Program http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/AIDS-HIV/index.htm
