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Rhode Island Business Leadership Network RIBLN ri-bln

Rhode Island Business Leadership Network RIBLN www.ri-bln.com. The Disability Business Case. It’s a Win-Win-Win. Marketing perspective

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Rhode Island Business Leadership Network RIBLN ri-bln

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  1. Rhode Island Business Leadership Network RIBLN www.ri-bln.com

  2. The Disability Business Case It’s a Win-Win-Win... • Marketing perspective • Annual aggregate spending of people with disabilities in US estimated at $1 trillion- (discretionary spending estimated at $220 Billion) relatively untapped business opportunity • Employment Perspective • Diversifies the workplace; employing more people with disabilities will enable us to more effectively market to customers with disabilities, their relatives, neighbors and friends; will assist in meeting impending worker shortages and add tax dollars • Community Outreach • Desire to be recognized as a leader in the communities we serve

  3. Why Isn’t Business Engaged?Myths and Fears • Cost of accommodation • Co-workers • Lower productivity/ or performance standards • Unable to terminate • Uncomfortable with interviewing

  4. Overall, employers view employees with disabilities as capable and productive (timeliness, punctuality, task consistency & work speed). Employers believe they are most effective in retaining existing workers who acquire disabilities and arranging accommodations as opposed to hiring new workers with disabilities. Employers have limited awareness of variety of human service programs intended to promote the employment of persons with disabilities. The cost of employing workers with a disabilities were not viewed as a significant issue for employers in this study What are the Employment Realities? (Based On VCU-RRTC National Study Of Employer’s Experiences)

  5. Business Leadership Networks • Business Purpose, Not Social Welfare • Success Builds Success • Chapters educate employers and dispel myths.

  6. What is a BLN? • Formal or informal meeting “place” for Employers to share business perspectives and best practices on hiring, retaining, promoting and marketing to individuals with disabilities • Focus on networking and employer education and outreach, not placement.

  7. Why is a BLN important to Employers? • Business to Business • Speak the same language • Safe Harbor • More likely to succeed • Education and Resources • Improve Economy

  8. The USBLN (www.usbln.com) • National Organization representing all BLN Chapters • Acts as national representative • Chapter development and growth • Annual Conference • Exceptional Leaders Awards • Disability Friendly Business Recognition

  9. USBLN Vision • Every employer recognizes and benefits from the best practice of including people with disabilities in their workforce and marketplace.

  10. RI BLN Chapter • Chapter’s mission: A network of RI Employers who champion best practices to promote employment and retention of persons with disabilities. • Employer organizations represent the majority of Chapter membership • Chapter provides education and outreach to employers

  11. RI BLN serves as an Employer Information Clearing House • Efforts geared to demonstrate alignment with vocational rehabilitation and/or other service providers (to educate employers not VR) • Currently seeking to expand its membership by increasing employer participation

  12. Typical BLN Activities • Quarterly Training on Disability Issues • Presentations to chambers, SHRM • Web site • Awards programs • Newsletters • Ambassador program • Membership activities

  13. Training Recruiting Retention Internships Resources Accommodations Comfort Zone Ambassadors Share success Learn from others mistakes Market Recognition Community Leader What do BLNs Offer?

  14. Why do Employers Join BLNs? • Workforce diversity • Marketplace expansion • Training • Applicant Pipelines • Return to work education • Shared experiences

  15. Who is Involved? • Small and large employers • Local, regional, national and international businesses • Chambers of Commerce • SHRM • Staffing Companies • Academics: Colleges,Universities, High Schools • Workforce Investment Boards (1 stops) • Temporary Partners (grants)

  16. Partnerships How your organization can become involved. • Help spread the word! • Network with existing business connections about the RI BLN. • Join us for educational events/roundtables. • Offer ideas/suggestions for topical forums. • Be added to our outreach database for mailings.

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