Mi-EC for Employers

The Michigan Employment Clinic (Mi-EC) is dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and(or) criminal records in Michigan to overcome barriers to employment and improve their quality of life through participation in diverse workforces. Mi-EC provides support to employers through our collaborators/partners or directly, including but not limited to – resources and access to potential employees.

We develop informational materials and connect employers to relevant resources on:

  • Benefits of hiring individuals with disability or those formerly incarcerated
  • Legal* aspects of diverse and inclusive hiring: 1) Disability and reasonable accommodations under Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA), 2) Disability discrimination and ADA (also Rehabilitation Act of 1973), and 3) criminal records and employment decisions
  • Best practices for diverse and inclusive workplaces
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training resources

Click here to access online resources for employers.

*Mi-EC does not provide legal guidance to employers on diverse and inclusive hiring; it connects them to available guidance from trustworthy sources.

Mi-EC clients get individualized coaching and feedback support along with resources to support their efforts in securing employment. Thus, employers interested in diverse hiring can access the diverse talent pool of Mi-EC clients.

Click here to know more. 

business case for inclusion

Organizations and businesses as employment generators have a tremendous opportunity to partake in the economic and social empowerment of individuals with disability and(or) criminal record while leveraging the merits of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Recent research has shown that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is an unmissable business advantage. 

According to a report by the American Institute for Research (AIR), the size of the disability market in the United States is 64 million people. Out of 64 million, 35% or 22 million are of working age. Although organizations recognize the unique and significant contributions of individuals with disabilities, the talent pool is still largely untapped. In Michigan, only 31% of the disabled population in the age group of 16-64 years is employed, as per 2019 averages provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Inclusive working environments for employees with disabilities boost profitability and values creation for businesses. Recent evidence comes from a research study of 140 U.S. companies that champion disability hiring. This study by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability: IN showed that the companies registered 28% higher profit margins, and net income almost twice of their peers.

Employees with disabilities have also shown their inclination for innovation through ideas that generate value. As per a study cited in Harvard Business Review, 75% reported they have an idea that could drive value compared to employees without disabilities at 66%.

mi-ec employer's pledge

Mi-EC created three Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) pledges for employer’s to complete in order to gauge both their organizations current commitment to inclusion in the workplace and how to further advance their inclusion practices.