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Columbia Business Monthly

Hire Me SC Announces Employer Summit For Inclusive Workforce

Oct 08, 2018 10:40AM ● By Kathleen Maris
In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Able South Carolina and the South Carolina Disability Employment Coalition invite South Carolina businesses to the 2018 Hire Me SC Employer Summit, entitled "South Carolina's Workforce: Empowering All."

Individuals with disabilities are an untapped talent pool in South Carolina. At the summit, presenters will discuss tactics for recruiting individuals with disabilities into the workforce and provide tips on establishing an inclusive employment strategy. Employers will also be able to connect directly with appropriate disability resource providers.

The event is part of Hire Me SC, a multi-year, statewide workforce development campaign launched by Able South Carolina to change the culture of disability employment.

The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Stone River, 121 Alexander Road, West Columbia, S.C. 29169.

The following groups of individuals will be available for interviews:

  • Able South Carolina representatives, including executive director Kimberly Tissot and director of employment programs Sandy Jordan;
  • South Carolina inclusive employers, including BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and Verizon;
  • Employers registered for the event looking to implement inclusive employment practices; and
  • Event keynote speakers Rebecca Cokley (founding director of the Center for American Progress’ Disability Justice Initiative) and Patrick Cokley (disability policy engagement manager at Anthem Inc.).
The goal of this summit is to empower business professionals to further consider how creating a diverse and inclusive workplace will benefit their organization.

Seven out of 10 individuals with disabilities are unemployed in South Carolina. Businesses that employ people with disabilities can gain a better understanding of how to meet the needs of this important and expanding customer base. Research shows that consumers both with and without disabilities favor businesses that employ people with disabilities.