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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>Registration is now open for the 2021 Hire Me SC Employer Summit — an annual event led by Hire Me SC and Able SC for business managers, executives and human resource professionals looking to hire and retain a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities. The virtual event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13 through Zoom.</p>
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<p>This year’s theme, “South Carolina’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” is focused on inclusive hiring in the workplace as South Carolina continues to recover from employment and economic challenges spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees will hear from a keynote speaker, participate in breakout sessions, network with other employers and leave the event with a better understanding of how to include individuals with disabilities in their workplace as the economy rebuilds.</p>
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<p>“Data shows that individuals with disabilities had a higher percentage of jobs lost due to COVID-19 compared to individuals without disabilities, as well as a lower rebound rate to pre-pandemic employment levels than those without disabilities,” Director of Employment Programs at Able SC Sandy Jordan said in a release. “As South Carolina rebuilds its economy, it’s extremely important that this untapped workforce isn’t overlooked.”</p>
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<p>The keynote speaker will be Ashley Oolman, founder and inclusion consultant of Allied Folk — an organization centered around consulting and coaching individuals and businesses to build equitable and inclusive spaces. Other session topics include supporting your employees’ mental health, best practices to recruit people with disabilities and working with your legal team to promote disability employment.</p>
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<p>“According to the Department of Labor, about 20 percent of people with disabilities are employed and 3 percent of them are paid subminimum wage,” said Christine Gantt-Sorenson, attorney at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd and a speaker at this year’s event. “This event will help employers identify areas where growth is needed and provide solutions to increase the number of people with disabilities in the workplace.”</p>
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<p>To accommodate a larger audience in a COVID-safe way, this will be a fully virtual event. Event information will be sent to registered attendees in advance of the conference.</p>
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<p>Tickets are now available for $50 and can be purchased at https://hiremesc.org/employer-summit/. A special discount is available for employers that register five or more employees for the event — interested employers can email hiremesc@able-sc.org for details. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HR Certification Institute (HRCI) credit hours are pending.</p>
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