Hiring people with disabilities has always been seen as a risk with low expectations on any kind of business impact. Whether that was performance or profit. But I’m here to tell you, from personal experience, that hiring people with disabilities isn’t just good for business, it transforms your business for good.
And it’s an insight that more and more businesses — including Microsoft, Bank of America, and even Weller Truck Parts here in West Michigan — have come to realize.
I’m Dirk. The executive director and co-founder of Beyond26. I felt it was important to share my experience fighting this perception that employing people with disabilities — or, as I like to say, disABILITIES — is bad for business. And highlighting the fact that companies that championed them actually outperformed their competition.
Here is my story.
Beyond26: From Professional Mission to Personal Testament
Once young adults with disabilities reach the age of 26 in Michigan, special education services abruptly end, leaving many stranded at home, their talents wasted and their futures uncertain.
I worked with a group of community members to start Beyond26. We support adults with disABILITIES in finding employment through individualized advocacy and networking, creating meaningful jobs for people with disABILITIES across West Michigan.. We support adults with disabilities in finding employment through individualized advocacy and networking.
But when I started Beyond26, it never dawned on me that it would include my son, Will. Will has Down Syndrome, and speech is difficult for him. He gives one-word answers at best.
When my wife Phyllis and I discussed whether to adopt Will, we calculated we would be in our 60s when he aged out of the school system. The decision to adopt became more of a risk. But accepting that risk has shown me the impact that employment can have.
Changing Charity into Opportunity
The summer of 2022 was pivotal for us. A local, West Michigan business, Weller Truck Parts, approached Beyond26 to get involved in our program. Their leadership team wanted the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their workforce.
Shortly afterward, Will and his friend Nick were approved for a six-shift internship.
To my surprise, they were approved to work on their own after just 2 shifts. I even called the team at Weller, who reassured me the “boys” had it all under control. And after working all 6 shifts, they asked me if Will and Nick could stay on staff permanently.
Since then, Will is working independently every day. This has created a routine that has brought our family closer together as a unit.
There are dozens of other stories just like Will’s. But beyond the compelling stories lies a hard economic truth: hiring people with disabilities isn’t charity – it’s smart business. While many employers maintain outdated perceptions about what these employees can achieve, the data tells a different story.
The Business Case for Hiring Adults with Disabilities
Companies that actively include people with disabilities in their workforce and create jobs for people with disabilities aren’t just doing well – they’re growing. These businesses experience higher employee retention rates, reduced recruiting costs, and improved company culture. Most importantly, they gain access to dedicated workers at a time when finding reliable employees challenges even the most established Midwest businesses.
A 2018 report from Accenture analyzed the financial performance of 140 companies and found that “on average over the four-year period, 28% higher revenue, double the net income and 30% higher economic profit margins than the other companies in the DEI.”
What exactly are these companies doing?
Bank of America assembled a specialized support services team made up of 300 individuals with intellectual disabilities. They manage fulfillment services and external client engagement.
Microsoft developed a recruitment approach designed for candidates on the autism spectrum. Their innovative program replaces traditional interviews with hands-on experience with hiring managers in a supportive environment.
And even Meijer, here in West Michigan, is consistently recognized by the Disability Equality Index (DEI) as one of the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.
Giving People Purpose has Never Been so Profitable
Will works at Weller Truck Parts every day now. The General Manager there calls him family. Both Nick’s family and ours are thankful for the acceptance, love, and patience given to our sons.
But we know there are many other people with disabilities out there whose story is still to be written. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 22.7% of Americans with a disability are employed. That’s almost a 22% decrease from 2018. And they all have a lot to offer.
As of December 2024, Beyond26 has placed 240 jobseekers in jobs throughout the community with 110 participating businesses, demonstrating our commitment to creating quality jobs for people with disABILITIES. One job at a time, we hope to continue touching the lives of our jobseekers and their families.
But while it is heartwarming, the wall of success stories at Beyond26 should be seen as a blueprint for addressing workforce challenges while strengthening our communities. When you expand your candidate pools to become more inclusive, it strengthens both bottom lines and communities.
So the next time you face a hiring challenge, join local Michigan businesses like Meijer, Weller Truck Parts, J&H Family Stores, and others making a difference in the lives of adults with disABILITIES — and consider partnering with Beyond26 to help.