When it comes to hiring people living with disabilities, South Dakota has an employment rate of 49.1 percent.  Gloria Pearson is the Secretary of the Department of Human Services and says that this is a pretty good rate, compared to the state’s neighbors.  A new campaign has been launched, however, to hopefully increase that rate even further.

Pearson says the Ability for Hire campaign strives to educate employers about the benefits of hiring those living with disabilities…

 

With a workforce shortage in the state, she says it’s important that businesses consider tapping this pool of potential workers that has thousands of job candidates.  Pearson says that the campaign also aims to change the public perception behind disabled employees…

 

She says a website has been launched that will serve as a source of information for the public, employers, and those with disabilities.  Ability for Hire dot com will educate businesses about hiring disabled workers and will provide contacts to connect employers with potential employees.