According to a new resource brief from the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI), titled Exploring Transition in Minnesota, Minnesota employers are struggling to find workers to fill many jobs while many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) looking for work remain unemployed. Currently, only 21.5% of Minnesotans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) receiving state services are currently employed. The new report not only highlights these two problems, but also suggests that hiring more people with IDD could solve both.

A sound business case

Hiring people with IDD delivers measurable business advantages. Systematic research shows that inclusive workplaces experience reduced turnover, higher employee retention rates, and improved overall profitability. Far from requiring burdensome overhauls, workers with disabilities bring distinct talents, perspectives, and reliable work ethics that elevate workplace culture and drive productivity. Businesses that prioritize disability inclusion also see notable gains in brand image, customer satisfaction, and community loyalty. Employer hesitation often stems from unfamiliarity, rather than unwillingness. Studies demonstrate that once managers gain firsthand experience hiring workers with disabilities, their confidence surges, resulting in overwhelmingly positive perceptions of worker reliability and a higher likelihood of hiring people with disabilities in the future.

From school to meaningful careers

Creating long-term employment opportunities starts well before adulthood. Research confirms that paid, hands-on work experiences during secondary education directly predicts post-school success. Everyone could use more career exploration and work-based learning opportunities, regardless of their ability.

Navigating Minnesota’s support network

Employers and job seekers do not have to build this bridge to employment alone.

• State Partnerships: The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the E1MN cross-agency initiative, and the Minnesota Transformation Initiative (MTI) offer systems-level support for integrated community employment.
• Local Placement & Coaching: Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), school-based transition programs, and community service providers—such as Rise, Kaposia, Inclusive Networking, and several others—provide direct placement, skills training, and on-site job coaching.
• Financial Incentives: Businesses can access financial relief through the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and the state’s Minnesota Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund.
• Technical Guidance: Employers can consult the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) for workplace adjustments.

As Minnesota reimagines its future workforce, opening doors for individuals with IDD fulfills both an urgent economic demand and an enduring commitment to community equity. When businesses commit to making their environment and work procedures an inclusive practice, everyone can thrive: people with disabilities, employers, and the economy.

To view the entire report visit https://z.umn.edu/bl02.