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North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind

NC DSB - Division of Services for the Blind Home Page

Employer Services

Testimonials:

"We initially believed that hiring employees through the DSB employment program would be a positive thing for the community, provide inspiration to our other employees, and was simply the "right" thing to do. We were only partially correct. While our original beliefs have all proven true, we've also discovered that our DSB hires have become some of our very best employees. The maturity, dependability, and leadership displayed by our DSB hires coupled with very low turnover have made these employees bedrock to our business. We thought we were doing something good for the community, but it turns out we were also making a fantastic addition to our business. Our recruiting department is in the process of expanding our local DSB hiring program and looking to deploy similar programs in our other locations. Thank you DSB!"

Tony Grimes
Site Director, Sento Corporation

SENTO, a Raleigh based company has been an Employer Partner with DSB for six years and employed four individuals who are visually impaired. These employees provide quality services to the customers calling in for specific information about remote controls.

Services DSB Provided
In order to work with SENTO, the consumers had to pass a hiring test required of all applicants. Before their start date, DSB provided on-site analysis by the DSB engineer to insure compatibility of employer software with JAWS, the speech software program needed by the consumers to access their computers. DSB provided the software and larger monitors where needed, as well as on-site technology support and training for the new employees. , There were some reference materials that needed to be translated into Braille and this was done by the DSB office. During the first few months of employment, SENTO underwent a major building restoration project and the DSB Rehabilitation Engineer was involved in assisting the employees with changes to their work site. In addition the DSB engineer worked with the company IT personnel to sort out any additional concerns that were raised as the employees became more knowledgeable about their jobs. DSB also provided Orientation services at the on-set of the hire. This service is provided by a certified Orientation and Mobility Instructor and is done to familiarize the employees with the layout of the building, so they can get around independently and safely.

The Employer Partner Role The cooperation and willingness of SENTO to see beyond one's physical impairments and to focus on the individual's qualifications provided DSB the opportunity to develop an employer partnership. The joint efforts of Sento and DSB made the match possible for individuals with vision impairments to perform the same work that sighted individuals are doing. Today, these employees continue to provide quality service for SENTO and they remain competitively employed at a job they enjoy.

"Building Partnerships with an eye on the future".

Our goal is to establish a cooperative, long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with you, the employer, unmatched (and virtually unheard of) in "government services." Let's face it. You need workers. We have workers and we need you.
We customize services to employers just as we customize services to our consumers.

Here are some of the services we can offer you:

Custom Referral Service

Our team of rehabilitation professionals will discuss with you your needs and refer only the people who can best fit the job. If we do not have the best fit for you, we will not make the referral. We can assure you, the best match for your needs, because of the comprehensive assessment conducted by our rehabilitation professionals with each individual, prior to making a referral, to determine their skills, strengths, and job readiness.

On-The-Job Training

As our partner, we can assist you with some of the costs associated with training your new employee, which could save you money. Length of time of employee training and amount of assistance available is negotiable.

Work Experiences

Recruiting and hiring is expensive and time consuming for employers and every business wants to choose the best candidate for employment. We can arrange for you to "try out" the person at the work site before you make the final hiring decision. We will take care of FLSA paperwork. Satisfied? Great! Not Satisfied? No problem. Who can offer you a better deal in finding the candidate who can get the job done?

Workplace Accommodations

Often employers have questions with regard to what is a reasonable accommodation or what type of assistive technology might be needed. We will assist you with Counselors, Employment Consultants, or Technology Specialists to determine the best possible and most economical accommodation. Often we can even assist you in its purchase.

Follow Up Service

Job tasks change. Should there be changes in the employee's work functions, we can come back and assist with training required to bring the employee up to task or work with you and the employee on any new accommodation or required changes to assistive technology.

Workplace Diversity

Diversity in the workplace is good for business and good for public image. We have the people you need to meet your diversity objectives.

EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

We have been contacted by employers who wanted to retain a good worker, but he/she was losing vision and having difficulties with various job tasks. We can help you identify what is needed to bring the employee back up to task and help you retain your valuable employee.

Employers on Disability Issues

Our team of professionals can speak with you or groups of your supervisory staff or employees concerning visual disability and employment.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT…

Employer Tax Incentives

We can help you with payroll tax incentives of up to 40% of the first $6,000 of the employee's first year wages (Work Opportunities Tax Credit). We do the paperwork. You sign and mail it. Other tax credits are also available (Disabled Access Tax Credit, Welfare to Work Tax Credit, Architectural and Transportation Removal Deduction).

For more information about Employer Services,
Contact Us.

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Division of Services for the Blind
Last modified:  February 21, 2008