iCan.com, a leading Internet and business services company for people with disabilities, and JobOptions.com, an e-cruitment solutions provider, announce the launch of their "accessible" career center for job seekers with disabilities. The partnership provides iCan users with JobOptions' deep job content and resume posting functionality at www.ican.com.
A primary factor in developing the partnership between the two companies was JobOptions' ability to make their premier job search site "accessible" to people with disabilities. According to iCan, 98 percent of all Web sites contain accessibility barriers to people with disabilities. Several computer programs that translate text into audio cannot interpret the code used to design the majority of today's Web sites. Part of iCan's mission is to make businesses aware that their Web sites contain accessibility barriers to people who use assistive and adaptive technology.
"This strategic relationship between iCan and JobOptions.com advances the iCan commitment to meet the employment needs of the disability community," said Heidi Van Arnem, founder and chief executive officer of Birmingham, Mich.-based iCan. "This partnership will reach a huge, untapped, skilled and motivated labor pool that brings with it tax incentives for employers while opening employment opportunities for millions of Americans with disabilities who want to work. We want to change the way corporations hire people with disabilities and channel greater career opportunities to the iCan community."
Statistics show that many businesses are learning that workers with disabilities are not only meeting expectations in the workplace, but also exceeding them,” said Michael Forrest, president of JobOptions.com.
As a Network Partner, iCan members and visiting users have the ability to search thousands of employment opportunities nationwide in more than 55 professional fields. In addition, users can access JobOptions' CareerZone section, which features thousands of available resources, including online continuing education, salary information and resume tips.
Facts & Figures – according to iCan
Despite low unemployment figures across the nation, 70 percent of people with disabilities are not working. The site will help employers gain access to more than 19 million workers with disabilities. In the state of California alone, there are more than 8,000 unemployed people with disabilities who hold MBAs and want to work. In Michigan and other states, that number exceeds 2,000.
People with disabilities have a proven work record of accomplishment. Turnover for people with disabilities is 20 percent, compared to 150 percent for employees without disabilities. The average tenure for people with disabilities is seven years compared to three years for able-bodied individuals.
Employers receive tax breaks for hiring people with disabilities. An employer may take a tax credit of up to 40 percent of the first $6,000, or up to $2,400 in wages paid during the first 12 months for each new hire.
JobOptions.com matches employers and job seekers by providing online job search and career management tools for job seekers and best-of-class Private Label recruitment solutions for employers. JobOptions.com is a subsidiary of Spherion Corporation.