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In Part Two of this dynamic, evidence-based webinar series, Dr. Philip Rumrill continues the conversation on effective employer engagement by tackling one of the most persistent barriers to disability employment: employer myths and misconceptions. Drawing from decades of research and real-world experience, Dr. Rumrill sets the record straight on what hiring, accommodating, and retaining workers with disabilities actually looks like in today’s workforce.
Participants will explore common assumptions related to motivation, productivity, training, accommodations, absenteeism, insurance costs, workplace relationships, and litigation risk—and learn why many of these beliefs do not hold up when examined through empirical evidence. Dr. Rumrill presents practical data points and talking strategies that disability professionals can use to respond confidently to employer concerns and reframe the conversation toward opportunity rather than limitation.
This session emphasizes the role of disability professionals as trusted partners in the human resource pipeline, equipping attendees with research-based language, advocacy strategies, and examples that resonate with employers, HR leaders, and business decision-makers. Whether you support job seekers directly or work on the demand side of employment, this webinar provides actionable insights to help strengthen employer relationships, support inclusive hiring practices, and improve long-term employment outcomes for workers with disabilities.
Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to
- Identify and explain common employer myths and misconceptions about hiring, accommodating, and retaining workers with disabilities, using research-based evidence to set the record straight.
- Apply empirical findings related to accommodations, productivity, absenteeism, insurance costs, and litigation risk to effectively address employer concerns and support informed hiring decisions.
- Strengthen employer engagement strategies by positioning disability professionals as credible partners who can use data, lived experience, and advocacy to improve workplace inclusion and retention outcomes.
About the presenters:
Dr. Phillip Rumrill, PhD, CRC is a nationally recognized scholar and leader in rehabilitation counseling, disability employment, and workforce inclusion. He serves as a professor of counselor education and has held senior research leadership roles focused on vocational rehabilitation services, employer engagement, and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Dr. Rumrill’s research and professional work emphasize demand-side strategies, workplace accommodations, disability management, and strengthening the connection between rehabilitation professionals and the human resource pipeline. He brings both professional and lived experience to his work, having been a vocational rehabilitation consumer himself, and has dedicated his career to advancing equitable employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
