Wabash Valley BLN

The BLN-Wabash Valley is working in the Terre Haute area to encourage  local employers to hire persons with disabilities and to support them when they do.

For no cost, employers can join the BLN-Wabash Valley and receive resource guides, publications and information about disability hiring issues including tips on tax benefits, disability etiquette, job accommodations and more.

Wabash Valley BLN sponsors valuable training on a quarterly basis that provide information from experts on topics that promote hiring persons with disabilities. To date, workshops have included experts from ADA-Indiana and Equal Opportunity Commission. Successful employees with disabilities routinely provide information and inspiration for workshop attendees as well as employers who hire persons with disabilities.

In 2012, Wabash Valley BLN plans to provide workshops on the following topics.

• Facilitated Employment: A representative from the Indiana Civil Rights Commission will address how the application process should be designed to be fair to all applicants—including those who have disabilities. Local employment services, supported employment providers and human resource professionals will provide an “Open Forum” during which time employers will be able to ask questions and receive information about this same topic. The meeting will be held at Clabber Girl in Terre Haute on February 15 from 8:00 to 11:30 AM.
• Readily Achievable Barrier Removal: An expert on the ADA will speak on this topic to help employers know what they must do to make their offices and facilities more accessible and provide information about how to get it done.
• Why Numbers Count: This session will focus on the empowerment of persons with disabilities and their disposable income, how it affects the community, accessible transportation, and Ticket to Work

The Wabash Valley Chapter is part of a larger State initiative. Other BLN chapters are well established in Bloomington, Indianapolis and other chapters are in their infancy in other areas of the State.

The Business Leadership network is a national association of businesses, established in 1994, who recognize that success in the 21st Century hinges on a diverse work-force that includes people with disabilities.  

BLN-Wabash Valley is led by a volunteer committee of large and small business leaders and  agencies who provide employment and other services for persons with disabilities.

Employers who participate in BLN activities:

• gain access to a pool of qualified candidates with disabilities
• obtain pertinent disability information
• share information with other employers,contribute to human resource training and employment issues, and gain access to an untapped market for goods and services

Put your business on the cutting edge…...join BLN-WV today!