Small Business Series: Local and State Disability Inclusion Incentives and Resources for Small Businesses
Discover how state and local government programs help small businesses in hiring and retaining workers with disabilities.
Video
Description
Did you know that many local and state governments provide incentives and resources to small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities? These incentives and resources help the business hire and retain workers with disabilities. Local and state governments offer various supports, such as tax incentives or reimbursement for the cost of workplace accommodations. Many small businesses can benefit from these – and similar support may exist in your area.
In this webinar, learn about innovative state and local programs that help small businesses tap into a talented and diverse workforce and promote inclusivity with minimal cost. Experts from Minnesota’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the City of Tacoma, Washington Department of Finance will offer participants the reasons to and guidance on developing and implementing such a program. The benefits of these programs will also be discussed.
During this webinar, participants will learn more about:
- A local program providing tax incentives for supporting small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities
- A state government-funded program that provides financial assistance to employers to cover accommodations for disabled employees
- Ways to build mutually beneficial relationships between small business, community organizations, and state and local governments
Panelists
- Ray McCoy, Program Coordinator, Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF), State of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Kris Oldenburg, Audit and Compliance Manager, Finance Department, Tax & License Division, City of Tacoma, WA
- Nikki Powis, Director, Small Business Programs, National Disability Institute (NDI)
Date
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
1–2:15 p.m. ET
Many small businesses can benefit from state and local incentive programs and resources.
Webinar Materials
- Presentation Slides (PDF)
- Panelist Biographies (PDF)
Presenter Resources
- News Release: City of Tacoma New Tax Credits
- Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (Minnesota)
- National Disability Institute (NDI)
- Small Business Hub (NDI)
EARN Resources
- Small Business Toolkit
- Employer Financial Incentives
- Business Benefits: The Positive Impacts of Disability Inclusion
- Community Partnerships: An Effective Inclusion Strategy
- Reasonable Accommodations
- Service Provider Resources
- Federal Contractor Requirements
Additional Resources
- Advancing Disability Inclusion in Very Small Businesses Online Dialogue
- State Exchange on Employment & Disability (SEED)
- Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT)
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- Small Business Resource Center
- Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) Program
- Northeast ADA Center: Small Business at Work Toolkit