People living with disabilities have long been excluded from or underrepresented in the workforce based on low expectations and preconceived notions about their capabilities. Although the disabled population of Santa Clarita is relatively low at approximately 13,000, an astounding 39% of these residents are unemployed. Decreasing the unemployment rate of residents with disabilities will not only improve the quality of living of these individuals but can also benefit the Santa Clarita businesses that employ them. Here are a few benefits of diversifying your local business.

The Untapped Market is Enormous

There is currently a big discrepancy between the employment rate of people living with disabilities and the U.S. labor market. A recent study conducted by Accenture found that as little as 29% of disabled Americans between 16 and 64 years of age are employed in either a part-time or full-time capacity. This is in stark contrast to the almost 75% of able-bodied individuals in a similar age group.  With so many unemployed people with varying degrees of disabilities, any Santa Clarita business that is interested in hiring someone with a disability will undoubtedly have access to a giant talent pool consisting of able and willing prospective employees. An increase in the employment rate of people with disabilities will not only boost the local economy but the national GDP as well.  It has been determined that employing only 1% of current unemployed people with disabilities can boost the GDP by a whopping $25 billion.

Company Culture is Diversified

Although the monetary benefit disabled workers hold for a business cannot be ignored, their overall value goes far beyond a boosted profit margin. Both employees with and without disabilities can benefit from a diverse working environment. Those with disabilities can actively help improve inclusion and accessibility while able-bodied employees may experience a very positive mind shift which can result in increased productivity and job satisfaction. Employees with disabilities can also show their able-bodied colleagues how to accomplish certain tasks and solve problems in new and creative ways. Diversifying workplaces will also boost Santa Clarita’s overall disability accessibility rating, pushing it up the ranks as far as the most accessible locations in the USA are concerned.

Employee Turnover is Decreased

Employee turnover can cost a business a lot of money. In fact, according to a local report by the Work Institute, it can cost as much as $15,000 to replace an employee who earns $45,000 a year. Hiring people with disabilities can have a positive impact on both absenteeism and loyalty, reducing employee turnover as a result. Several studies have found that employees with disabilities are less likely to be absent from work and also tend to stay at one job longer than employees without disabilities. Employee retention, in turn, can also benefit a business in many ways. This includes increased productivity, a better employee experience, and an improved customer experience.

Santa Clarita might not have a huge disabled population, but its disabled unemployment rate is somewhat concerning. There are several benefits that can be enjoyed by diversifying your business by employing people with disabilities.