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Employment

The Board partners with provider agencies to support individuals with job training, job development, and with finding jobs in the community.  For more information, contact Guy Young at 330-314-8901

Why is community employment important? Because Employment WORKS for people with disabilities, businesses and the community everyone shares.

The Ohio Employment First Initiative states that the first option for a person receiving services should be community employment. The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities has committed to putting more resources toward developing more community employment opportunities rather than the development of more traditional facility-based services.

The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities makes it a priority to ensure the people we support have as many opportunities as possible to work in the community just like everyone else. We partner with a variety of businesses, vocational service providers, and educational institutions to provide initial and ongoing support, from finding a job to keeping it.

Looking for a job?

These links will help you learn about how you can apply for a job and can show you listings of job opportunities.

Why should your business hire someone with a disability?

Businesses who hire people with disabilities gain loyal, skilled workers who enjoy the chance to show what they are capable of.

Join the growing list of Mahoning County businesses who employ people with disabilities, such as:

  • Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities
  • Subway
  • Youngstown State University
  • Burger King
  • It’s a Wrap
  • Big Lots
  • Target
  • Giant Eagle
  • McDonalds
  • D & D Industrial Services, Inc.

Resources about hiring someone with a disability

Resources

Everyone Benefits

When EMPLOYMENT WORKS for people with disabilities the community everyone shares benefits. The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities makes it a priority to ensure that people we support have as many opportunities as possible to work in the community.

Quality Employees

When you hire people with disabilities, you get quality employees. Watch our video to hear first-hand from local employers about their experience with hiring people with disabilities.

Job Coaching

Job coaching benefits businesses by supporting both the individual with a disability as well as the employer.

Tax Incentives

There are some great tax incentives available for employers who hire a person with a disability. Learn more from these websites:

Myths and Facts

Myths

  • Hiring people with disabilities increases workers compensation insurance rates.
  • Proving accommodations for people with disabilities is expensive.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forces employers to hire unqualified individuals with disabilities.
  • Employees with disabilities have a higher absentee rate than employees without disabilities.
  • Under the ADA, an employer cannot fire an employee who has a disability.

Real Truths

  • Insurance rates are based solely on the relative hazards of the operation and the organizations' accident experience, and no on whether workers have disabilities.
  • The majority of workers with disabilities do not need accommodations to perform their jobs, and for those who do, the cost is minimal.
  • Unqualified candidates are not protected under the ADA. To be protected from discrimination in hiring, an individual must first meet all of the requirements for a job and be able to perform its essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
  • Studies show that employees with disabilities are not absent more than employees without disabilities.