Lunch & Learn - Putting Disabilities to Work

Putting Disabilities to Work

Featuring Mark Schiller, President of Quaker Foods and Snacks, PepsiCo Chicago
Felicia Clark, Illinois Dept. of Employment Security

Co-hosted with Chicagoland, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Northfield, Wheeling/Prospect Heights Chambers

One of Chicago’s leading corporate executives will give a firsthand testimonial of his company’s successful efforts to employ qualified people with disabilities, hoping to inspire and educate area businesses and dispel the myths employers have about this untapped resource. The program will also include information about tax credits and other financial incentives for companies who make their businesses accessible to workers with disabilities.

Mark Schiller, President of Quaker Foods and Snacks, PepsiCo Chicago will discuss his company’s experience with employing people with disabilities, giving case studies and examples of effective programs. A PepsiCo 2008 Super Bowl commercial which raises awareness about people with disabilities will also be shown during the lunch program.

The company was recognized with the "disabilityworks Innovation Award" last year from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce as a best practice leader for its program enABLE, a resource group that reaches out to employees with disabilities, employees who have family and friends with disabilities or chronic health conditions.

There are more than 54 million people with disabilities in the U.S. Almost one in every six Americans has a disability making it the largest, fastest growing minority group in the nation. Among college graduates nationwide, only 54% of people with disabilities are employed, compared to 82% of their non-disabled peers. In Illinois, the unemployment rate of working-age people with disabilities is 62.7% according to the Census Bureau. Statistics show that nearly 80% of all people with disabilities indicate a desire to work.

A recent study of Chicago area businesses conducted by DePaul University found employees with disabilities in the healthcare, retail and hospitality sectors in the region were just as dependable and productive as employees without disabilities. In addition, researchers found that costs associated with accommodating workers with disabilities were often minimal and well worth the expense.

Information about the financial incentives and benefits of hiring qualified individuals with disabilities will also be provided. The state of Illinois offers medical coverage to working individuals with disabilities with limited income, and in certain circumstances, companies do not pay the company portion of Medicare costs. Tax credits for companies with fewer than 30 workers can be used to offset the purchase of adaptive equipment or the modification of equipment, the removal of barriers in buildings or vehicles and printed materials.

State Senator Susan Garrett, as well as representatives from disabiltyworks, and the Illinois Dept. of Employment Security will also be available to answer questions.