Dos and Donts

Employing People with Special Needs

Do:
Learn about your employees disability
Know their limitations
Make accommodations

Do:
Equal pay for equal work
Allow the employee to express themselves
Include them in all activities

Do:
Expect quality work and not excuses
Explain rules and ask for their understanding
Give encouragement

Do:
Treat them like any other employee
Be patient
View from their point of view

Do:
Model
Have all employees interact
Encourage appropriate social skills

Do:

Always treat the individual with respect

and dignity!

Dont:
Ignore employees with disabilities
Call them names
Exclude them from an activity

Dont:
Overwhelm them with too much information
Fire them for a manifestation of their disability
Assume anything

How to communicate and work with

individuals who use a wheelchair:

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Do:

Respect Personal Property

Speak at eye level with the person

Remain aware of their reaching limit
Keep commonly used paths clear of obstruction

Their wheelchair and anything attached is personal property

Trash cans, chairs, boxes, etc.

Offer another type of chair if needed to perform the job

If the person can transfer

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Dont
Lean on wheelchairs
Hang items on wheelchair
Push chairs without permission
If the person transfers out of their wheelchair do not remove it from the
area unless approved by the employee using it.

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How to Effectively Communicate and

Work with people who have Hearing
Impairments

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Dos and Donts:

Use eye contact

Speak to the person - not to their interpreter
Speak in a normal tone unless asked to do otherwise
Get their attention by tapping them on the shoulder, flashing the lights, or waving your
hands
Individuals may use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)- When
communicating, say Go ahead to signal to the other person that they may begin speaking

If the employee indicates they read lips avoid placing hand over mouth, eating,
chewing gum or speaking with your head down

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How to Effectively Communicate and

Work with Employees with Vision
Impairments

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DO:

Introduce yourself and others who are present.

Identify your role (Im the recruiter)
Notify the person if you are walking to another area or ending the conversation
Offer the person your arm when walking
Give clear and concise directions
Always ask to pet someones service animal
Service animals are not just pets, but working assistants

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Dont:
Grab someones arm
it may result in a loss of balance
Make noises at the service animal

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Remember

Be patient, flexible and supportive

Take time to understand and know your employees and their abilities!
Remember to relax
Treat the individual with dignity and respect
Listen

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Remember...

Offer assistance
but do not insist or be offended if your offer is not accepted
Treat individuals age-appropriately
Use short phrases
Be prepared to repeat what you said
orally or in writing
Offer assistance completing forms or understanding written instructions
provide extra time for decision making

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Employer Resources for additional information and training

topics related to employees with disabilities:
Diversity World Website
Earn-Employer Assistance & Resources Network
JAN - Job Accommodation Network
US Department of Labor - Office of Disability Employment Policy
Special Needs Alliance - The Dos and Donts When Hiring an Employee with Special Needs

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Did You Know?

The Power Of
Attitudinal
Barriers

40% of employed people with disabilities report they have encountered job
discrimination?

33% of employed people with disabilities report they have encountered

unfavorable attitudes toward their disability on the job?

22% of employers cite supervisor/co-worker attitudes and stereotypes as a

major barrier to employment and advancement of employees with disabilities?

15% of non-disabled people report they do not feel comfortable working for, or
nearby a person with a disability?

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It is no wonder that most places of employment are not effective at

hiring/retaining employees with disabilities.
The 10 Commandments of Communication with People with Disabilities
Diversity World Website

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Susan Abernathy

Cindy Keele

Riverton High School/Career Center

Community Entry Services

RHS IDEAL Work Department Chair

Supported Employment Coordinator

sabernathy@fremont25.org

ckeele@ces-usa.com

(307) 856-6557 ext: 4005

(307) 856-5576

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Business Panel - Hiring Employees with Special Needs

June Bailey - Owner/Massage Therapist of Icons & Rebels
Tracy Blumenshine - Owner/Manager of Teton Athletic Club
Kevin Jones - Manager of Hammer Electronics/Radio Shack
Darla Knuth - General Manager of Riverton Wendys
Becky Wieser - Operations Asst. Manager of Riverton Smiths

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1. Tell your story of employing a person

with special needs/disability Your dos and donts

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2. What would you have liked to have

known before you hired an employee with
a disability?

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3. How did you prepare your employees

to work with a disabled co-worker?

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Questions for the panel?

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Thank you business panel for sharing your experiences and

knowledge with us today. Taking your time to help inform
others of the eager employees out there waiting to be successfully
employed is greatly appreciated. Thank you again!!!

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