The purpose of Why Hire People with Disabilities? Support for Employers is to help employers understand the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and provide practical guidance for recruiting, training, accommodating, and retaining employees with disabilities. Developed by the Kootenay Career Development Society (KCDS), the guide serves as an introductory resource for employers seeking to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. It outlines the business case for disability inclusion, highlights employment equity obligations, and offers tools that support successful workplace integration and employee retention.
The guide was developed through research, consultation, and the practical experience of employment professionals working in disability employment services. According to the introduction, information was gathered from multiple Canadian sources, research studies, and years of experience supporting job seekers with disabilities and employers. The project was funded through the 2010 Legacy Funds – Measuring Up initiative, which aimed to improve community accessibility, with additional in-kind support from KCDS.
The resource is intended primarily for employers, business owners, human resources professionals, supervisors, and managers who are interested in hiring or supporting employees with disabilities. It is particularly useful for organizations with limited experience in disability inclusion and those seeking practical guidance on workplace accommodations, recruitment strategies, employee training, mentoring, and retention practices.
Organizations should use this resource when developing inclusive hiring practices, addressing labour shortages, improving workforce diversity, responding to accommodation requests, or creating supportive onboarding and training processes. The guide is especially helpful when employers are recruiting candidates with disabilities for the first time or need guidance on disclosure, privacy, communication, accommodations, and employee support.
A key strength of the guide is its practical focus. It includes templates for job analysis, training objectives, and task analysis, along with examples of accommodations, mentoring approaches, and community resources. Overall, it provides a step-by-step roadmap for employers seeking to attract, hire, and retain talented employees with disabilities while fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
