Nonprofit plans disability hiring forum

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GREENFIELD — Tangram Business Resourcing, a nonprofit dedicated to disability consulting, plans a presentation for Thursday called “Missed Opportunities and Your Bottom Line.”

Tangram, the organization’s parent agency, was founded in Greenfield in 1985 by family members of six people with disabilities in Hancock County. Tangram Business Resourcing works with businesses throughout the state of Indiana to help them become more inclusive of people with disabilities, said managing director Kathy Bernhardt.

The discussion, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hancock Regional Hospital, 801 N. State St., will feature an interactive presentation about how to hire more people with disabilities, Bernhardt said. It will include the topics of what a disability is, what a hidden disability is, and how companies can change their interview practices to adapt for people with disabilities, she said.

“Companies are missing opportunities by interviewing people the same way all the time,” she said. “For example, someone on the autism spectrum may not interview as well, but employers need to consider, is a firm handshake necessary if their job doesn’t require social skills.”

She said the event will also highlight other ways hiring people with disabilities can help the companies they work for, such as tax incentives for hiring disabled veterans.

Tangram Business Resourcing has worked on the national level in 11 states, working to promote a more inclusive workforce at distribution centers, call centers, retail stores and other businesses.

Some 56 million people in the U.S. live with a disability, according to a news release. The event aims to teach companies and their human resources specialists how to tap into the “often-underutilized segment of the population and explain how this will lead to bottom line advantages, including lower turnover rates, less absenteeism and overall improved company morale,” according to a news release.

The cost of the event is $10, which includes lunch, and those interested may register on eventbrite.com. The discussion will provide continuing education credits for HR professionals, Bernhardt said.