Incentives

Many local businesses in Belilngham and throughout Whatcom County agree that employing people with disabilities is good business.

• According to a National Survey of Consumer Attitudes towards Companies that Hire People with Disabilities, 92% of the American public view companies that hire people with disabilities more favorably than those that do not. And, 87% of the public would prefer to give their business to companies that hire people with disabilities.

• People with disabilities and their network, as reported by the U.S. Census, represent $1 trillion dollars in discretionary spending.

While there are tax incentives for employing people with disabilities, workers bring other added values to their employers including unique skills, perspectives and work ethics which ultimately reduce costs. In employing workers with disabilities, CVS Program Director Kristin Nguyen says companies will also access consumers with disabilities. These consumers have incredible buying power and are amazingly loyal to area businesses that accomodate their needs.

“Employing people with disabilities improves a business’s ability to serve them as customers,” Nguyen says. “People shop at places they feel connected to and when a business reflects a customer base, that business will be more successful.”