Workforce topic resources
Older workers with disabilities
As people age,
the likelihood
they will develop
a disability increases.
Most of
these disabilities
will not interfere
with a person’s
ability to work.
Maine has the
oldest population
in the nation.
Without
encouragement
to
continue
working,
and friendly
workplaces,
many skilled
workers will
be lost to
retirement. Many business leaders are very concerned about this, as evidenced by the New England Council, the nation’s oldest regional business organization, launching a major recent initiative on the aging workforce. Its president James Brett, said "New England employers will become increasingly dependent on older workers – those aged 55 and above – to meet the demand for skilled workers. The ability to retain and recapture these older workers in the labor force will be critical to the long-term economic prosperity of the region. This is particularly true in Maine, which has the oldest median age population in the nation.”
The accommodations
sought by older workers
are similar to those
sought by employees
with disabilities. These
accommodations include
such things as flex time,
telecommuting, parttime
hours, working from
home, and job sharing.
Most accommodations
sought by older
workers and people
with disabilities do not represent a significant
cost to the employer — many reasonable accommodations are
free or cost under $500.
Creating a
disability-friendly
workplace now will
help you diversify
your workforce
today and retain
older workers in the
future.
Resources:
Older Worker Resource Guide from Maine Career Centers
AARP Maine - Contact: Phyllis Cohn, (toll-free) 1-866-554-5380
Older Worker Committee of the Maine Jobs Council
Contact: Mary Fran Gamage, (toll-free) 1-888-457-8883
TTY 1-800-794-1110
Seasoned Workforce Program Contact: Dave Tomm