Below are a some common questions and fears potential customers and employers may have when beginning to work with someone with a developmental disability. Not only do we have national data to back up why disabilties don't keep someone from being an excellent worker, we have our own QUANTUM PROOF!
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HOW WELL DO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PERFORM ON THE JOB? AM I GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH OVER THEIR SHOULDER ALL DAY WHILE THEY WORK TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING THE WORK CORRECTLY?
- When the abilities and skills of the individual are matched with the needs of the job, employees with disabilities are able to perform as well as, or better than, other employees in similar jobs.
- In 1990, DuPont conducted a survey of 811 employees with disabilities and found 90% rated average or better in job performance compared to 95% for employees without disabilities.
- A 2002 survey of 255 supervisors of employees with disabilities found that supervisors are satisfied with the overall work performance and productivity of workers with disabilities and that workers with disabilities perform as well or better than their non-disabled co-workers.
- For 35 years, surveys have consistently shown that DuPont employees with disabilities equal or exceed their co-workers without disabilities in terms of job performance, attendance and safety commitment.
QUANTUM PROOF
- Quantum is an approved quality control final inspector for wiring harnesses and detailed assemblies. This approval allows Quantum to bypass Gulfstream’s in-house inspections.
- Quantum performed packaging assembly for L’Oreal’s ethnic hair care products for 4 years. L’Oreal is a company with extremely strict QC standards which allow for only 6% waste of products and requires 100% accuracy on all packaging.
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WHY SHOULD MY COMPANY WORK WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILTIES? HOW WILL IT BENEFIT US?
- Some predictions show that by 2010, the American economy will support 168 million new jobs, but there will only be 158 million workers to fill them. Our workers are eager to work and fill those jobs.
- High unemployment continues to be a serious problem for the disability community. Only 32% of Americans with disabilities ages 18-64 are working, but two-thirds of the 68% who are unemployed would rather be working.
- In the U.S., employers can apply for three different tax incentive programs to encourage hiring qualified people with disabilities and to defray certain costs associated with creating a disability-friendly environment. CCDS can provide more information on specific tax credits and deductions.
QUANTUM PROOF
- Production goals set by Gulfstream are met 98% of the time.
- Quantum doubled production for the L’Oreal packaging contract to meet the demands created by the Savannah plant closure.
- During the first month of providing temporary employees to Temcor, Quantum employees’ production increased by more than 600%.
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IF I HIRE SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY, ARE THEY MORE LIKELY TO HAVE MORE ACCIDENTS ON THE JOB THAN OTHER EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISABILIITIES? WHAT ABOUT MY WORKER'S COMPENSATION RATES - WILL THEY GO UP?
- Employers should have the same general safety concerns for employees with and without disabilities. For example, taking care to remove obstacles from walkways protects not only a worker with a disability but also any worker who happens not to be paying attention.
- Workers compensation insurance rates are based solely on the relative hazards of the operation and the organization’s accident experience, not on whether workers have disabilities.
QUANTUM PROOF
- In the past 5 years Quantum consumers have “no lost days” due to Worker’s Compensation related claims.
- In the past 5 years consumers employed by community businesses have “no lost days” due to Worker’s Comp related claims.
