Employer toolkit
People with disabilities are a strong and often overlooked talent pool. Here is where to find candidates, how accommodations work, and the tax benefits available.
Find candidates
State VR business services
Every state VR agency has staff who work with employers to match candidates, at no cost.
American Job Centers
Post jobs and meet candidates through your local job center.
Job coaching providers
Partners who support new hires on the job.
Project SEARCH
Host a year-long internship program at your workplace.
Schedule A (federal agencies)
A faster way for federal agencies to hire people with disabilities.
Accommodations
Most accommodations cost little or nothing: a schedule change, written instructions, a quieter desk, or software the worker already uses. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) gives free, private advice on any accommodation question at 1-800-526-7234.
- Respond to every request promptly and in good faith.
- Talk with the worker about what will help.
- Keep medical information confidential.
- Write down what you agreed to and check in later.
Tax credits and deductions
| Program | What it does | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Disabled Access Credit (IRS Form 8826) | Small businesses (gross receipts of $1 million or less, or 30 or fewer full-time workers) can claim 50% of access costs between $250 and $10,250 a year, up to $5,000. | Available |
| Barrier removal deduction (Section 190) | Any business can deduct up to $15,000 a year for removing physical barriers. | Available |
| Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) | A credit for hiring people from certain groups, including VR referrals, SSI recipients, and veterans with service-connected disabilities. | Expired for hires after December 31, 2025, unless Congress renews it. Many employers still file Form 8850 within 28 days of each hire in case a renewal is retroactive. |
Good to know: this page is general information in plain language. It is not tax advice. For your own situation, talk with one of the free helpers named on this page.
Inclusive hiring practices
- Put an accommodation contact on every job post and application.
- Offer interview options: questions in advance, a work trial, or a video or written interview.
- Make your website and online application accessible.
- Train managers on accommodations and respectful language.
- Learn more from EARN (the Employer Assistance and Resource Network) and Disability:IN.
- Federal contractors: Section 503 sets a goal that 7% of each job group be people with disabilities.
Get your organization listed
If you are an employer with a disability hiring program, or you provide job help, make sure job seekers can find you.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Laws, dollar amounts, and program rules change. Check with the agency named on this page before you make a decision. Report outdated or wrong information.