In the Fall of 2024, the SWTCIE Illinois Evaluation Team conducted a survey of the competitive integrated employment (CIE) employers who had hired SWTCIE Illinois participants. The purpose of the survey was to gather information related to employer perspectives on SWTCIE Illinois vocational rehabilitation processes. Twenty-eight CIE employers who had hired SWTCIE Illinois participants during the pilot year through September 2024 were sent an email invitation and weblink to complete the survey. Approximately one-third (36%) of CIE employers completed the survey (n=10).
CIE Employer Industry and Size
The CIE employers reported being in the following industries: one in manufacturing, one in healthcare and social administration, three in retail, and five employers are in other industries.
The number of employees at each business varied. Four companies had under 50 employees, four companies had between 50 and 250 employees, and two companies had over 250 employees.
Hiring, Training, and Supervision Support
CIE employers were asked about the overall level of support that they received in hiring their employee with a disability (i.e., SWTCIE Illinois participant). Two employers reported that they received extensive support, three employers indicated considerable support, four employers reported some support, and one employer indicated that they received little support.
Regarding the overall level of support they received in training their employee with a disability in completing required job tasks, one employer indicated that they received extensive support, two employers reported receipt of considerable support, four employers indicated some support was received, and three employers indicated that they received little support in training their employee with a disability.
Employers were also queried regarding the overall level of support that they received in supervising their employee with a disability. In response to this question, two employers indicated that they received extensive support, one reported considerable support, four employers reported some support, and three employers noted that they received little support in supervising their employee with a disability.
Hiring, Training, and Supervision Challenges
Employers were asked about the challenges they experienced in hiring, training, and supervising SWTCIE Illinois participants. Regarding challenges in hiring their employee with a disability, two employers reported no challenges, three employers reported few challenges, and two employers reported some challenges in hiring a SWTCIE Illinois participant. Three employers did not respond to this survey item.
In reference to challenges when training their employee with a disability to complete required tasks, three employers reported no challenges, two employers reported few challenges, and two employers reported some challenges in hiring a SWTCIE Illinois participant. Three employers did not respond to this survey item.
Employers were also asked about their challenges in supporting their employee with a disability to retain employment. In response to this survey item, five employers reported no challenges, one employer reported few challenges, and one employer reported some challenges in supporting a SWTCIE Illinois participant with retaining employment. Three employers did not respond to this survey item.
An open-ended question asked employers to describe the types of challenges they encountered and strategies used to overcome such challenges.
Challenges in Supporting SWTCIE Illinois Participants
The CIE employers noted variability in the level of challenges and support required by SWTCIE Illinois participants. Some SWTCIE Illinois participants required little to no support. For example, one employer noted: “We haven't had any challenges with {SWTCIE Illinois participant}. He does a fantastic job and is a quick learner!” Another employer indicated that the main challenge was not with the SWTCIE Illinois participant but rather with “the paperwork that needed to be completed with the State. That was a little confusing, but we got it done.”
Other employers shared how there were significant challenges in supporting SWTCIE Illinois participants. One employer stated that close support focused on “making sure that each task is done each day” was needed. Another employer described the multiple difficulties one SWTCIE Illinois participant was having at work. The participant “needs help with everything including unlocking his locker… remind{ing} the individual to bathe regularly… needs constant reminders on how to behave with the public and listen to supervisors…” An additional challenge reported by one employer was providing transportation management assistance to a SWTCIE Illinois participant who regularly failed to schedule their work transportation.
CIE Employer Strategies to Overcome Challenges
Employers implemented multiple strategies to support SWTCIE Illinois participants in CIE. Strategies that were particularly helpful to employers that experienced challenges in supporting SWTCIE Illinois participants included structured task support, time and schedule management, employee education, and close supervision. Some employers described how using a checklist was a helpful strategy to ensure that assigned tasks were completed and performance expectations were met. Other CIE employers explained how they educated SWTCIE Illinois participants about the physical demands of the job and how improving physical fitness may help improve work performance. Further, one CIE employer described how modifying work schedules and providing “shoulder to shoulder” supervision was needed for the SWTCIE participant to successfully complete assigned job duties.
Job Accommodations
CIE employers were asked to report the number of job accommodations provided to enable their employee with a disability to successfully perform assigned job tasks. In response to this question, four employers reported that no accommodations were provided, one employer each reported that two, three, and four accommodations were provided, respectively. Three employers did not complete this survey item.
Regarding the cost of job accommodations, five employers indicated that there was no cost, two employers reported that accommodations cost less than $100, and three employers did not respond to this survey item.
Importance of Hiring and Including Employees with Disabilities
In relation to the importance of hiring and including employees with disabilities in their organizations, two CIE employers indicated that such practices were moderately important, four employers reported that hiring and including employees with disabilities was very important, and one employer reported that disability inclusion was extremely important. Three employers did not respond to this survey item.
Disability Awareness Training
Regarding the amount of disability awareness training received by SWTCIE Illinois CIE employers, three employers reported that they had received no such training, one employer noted that they had minimal training, two employers reported having received some training, one employer indicated considerable training, and three employers did not respond to this survey item.
Impact of Hiring an Individual with a Disability
CIE employers were asked to describe the impact hiring an individual with a disability has had on their business/workplace. Most employers described the positive impact that hiring a SWTCIE Illinois participant had on overall organization culture. One shared, “{SWTCIE Illinois participant} has impacted our company in a good way… I think it is a good experience for the employees to see that just because someone may be different that it isn’t a bad thing… exposure to people who have a disability teaches them to learn acceptance and empathy.”
Another employer shared how the SWTCIE Illinois participant changed the workplace for both employees and the general public. “When people from the public see {SWTCIE Illinois participant} working here, it assures them that this is a safe space for all, and all are welcome. He brings out the best in everyone he encounters.” This CIE employer statement highlights both societal and internal organizational benefits to hiring a person with a disability. In contrast, another CIE employer reported that hiring the SWTCIE Illinois participant had little positive impact on organizational culture and noted that supervisors required “learning to deal with the disabilities of the individual.”
Essential Practices and Additional Information
The final survey question asked CIE employers to share any additional information or practices essential to successfully hiring and retaining an employee with a disability. Several CIE employers emphasized how the SWTCIE Illinois employment specialists (ES) provided excellent support to them during the hiring process. In these examples, employers described the support of the ES as “unwavering” and how ES support leads to a smooth process from interviewing to on-the-job supports. An employer noted that since the ES was available for consultation that working with the SWTCIE Illinois participant was efficient. Further, multiple employers reported that they would work with SWTCIE Illinois partners again and that they were “very happy” with their decision to hire the SWTCIE Illinois participant.
Conclusions
CIE employers who hired SWTCIE Illinois participants were surveyed regarding the support received and challenges encountered in hiring, training, and supervising workers with disabilities. Most employers reported receiving moderate to significant support for hiring, with minimal to no hiring challenges. In relation to training and supervision, employers noted limited to moderate support, also with few training and supervision challenges. When asked about specific challenges, employers identified issues related to the consistency of task completion, personal organization and responsibility, the need for social and behavioral supports, and supervisory/administrative demands. To address challenges, CIE employers implemented strategies such as structured task support, time and schedule management, SWTCIE Illinois participant education, and close supervision.
Regarding job accommodations, 30% of CIE employers (three out of ten) reported making at least one accommodation for the SWTCIE Illinois participant. Half of the accommodations were cost-free, and 20% cost less than $100, indicating low financial barriers to implementation. Most CIE employers emphasized that hiring workers with disabilities was moderately to extremely important to their organization. Further, most CIE employers reported receiving only minimal to some prior disability awareness training, suggesting a potential area for CIE employer training. When reflecting on the impact of hiring SWTCIE Illinois participants, CIE employers highlighted increased workplace positivity and morale, greater empathy and acceptance among staff, and minor supervisory challenges.
Finally, when invited to share additional comments, CIE employers praised the support and assistance provided by SWTCIE Illinois employment specialists, which facilitated seamless hiring and training processes. CIE employers also emphasized the importance of training, patience, and a positive attitude in successfully integrating workers with disabilities. Overall, CIE employers expressed satisfaction with their employees and a willingness to hire more individuals with disabilities in the future.