Winning the Talent War Through Neurodiversity ― Getting the Greatest Value from a Traditionally Overlooked Resource

Recruiting talent from among the disabled population poses unique challenges, which often are not adequately addressed by potential employers. Although the job market now mostly favors employers, this situation will change due to demographic changes. In Winning the Talent War through Neurodiversity: Getting the Greatest Value from a Traditionally Overlooked Resource, William J. Rothwell and Jonathan D. Zion show how employers can overcome future talent shortages by tapping into the often-overlooked pool of talent comprising people with disabilities (PWDs).

Few books examine the human resources processes relating to people with disabilities, and this one provides a range of new insights. Legal issues and the role of recruiting firms are dealt with, and the authors provide a disability recruiting score-card for rating firms’ performance. Lastly, advice is offered about avenues for employment for PWDs who aren’t suited to working in companies and other organizations.

This is a book for anyone involved in developing HR strategies or with responsibility for how human resources are utilized in general, who are interested in improving the methods used to recruit and retain people with disabilities.

William J. Rothwell is Professor, Workplace Learning and Performance, at the College of Education, Department of Learning and Performance Systems, The Pennsylvania State University, USA, where he administers a Masters and a Doctoral program in Training and Development/Human Resources.

Jonathan D. Zion has been working in the distance education industry in Toronto for the last five years. He has extensive experience engaging with many stakeholders on disability issues in the workplace, including social service agencies, as well as different levels of management.