Business Development

Business Development

IDHS-DRS provides a wide range of services to assist employers with matching the talents found in the disability community with their individual business needs. Some of these services include:

  • Disability Awareness Training
  • Assistive Technology Presentations and Assessments
  • ADA Considerations (help businesses understand the law and connect with experts)
  • Federal Bonding (hiring incentive tool providing employers security in hiring certain at-risk Individuals)
  • Tax Incentives (help businesses better understand tax credits and incentives available)
  • Customized Training Information and Planning
  • Job Analysis (identify observable work activities to determine candidates for available positions)
  • Targeted Hiring Events
  • National Employment Team (NET)/Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP)
  • On-the-Job Training Contracts (employers are provided financial incentives along with technical support to assist in hiring individuals with disabilities)
  • Apprenticeships
  • Interagency Referrals
Workforce Development Activities Number of Contacts
Workforce Partner Contacts 381
DRS Introductions/ Follow-up 538
Job Fair Presentations / Webinars/Hiring Events 266
Job Leads/ Job Referrals 416
Candidates Hired 7
Apprenticeship Information 42
TOTAL 1650

FY23 Highlights

A total of 1650 employer contacts were conducted in FY23 as we get further away from the pandemic.

  • More than 200 in-person engagements with the Business Community
  • Assisted the business community in discovering the talents of persons with disabilities through more than 400 Job leads/referrals.
  • Participated in 266 business networking events (job fairs or hiring events).
  • Provided apprenticeship information to 42 businesses.
  • Participated in a Statewide initiative with the Department of Corrections (DOC) for early engagement of returning citizens. Returning citizens with disabilities will also have an opportunity to open up cases with IDHS-DRS offices to help them readjust to civilian life and employment.

Vision for 2024

A priority was set for 2024 to conduct in-person presentations engaging 2000 employers. To reach our goal, we will:

  • Work with businesses to expand competitive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
  • Increase IDHS-DRS service awareness by increasing employer contact by at least 20%
  • Participate in collaboration meetings with other Statewide Workforce Partners
  • Participate in statewide Apprenticeship initiatives.
  • Increase the number of candidates hired through direct employer connections.