Month: November 2025

2025-11-13T02:01:00

(BPT) – Companies in most industries need to collect and use data. Especially for enterprises with large volumes of information to manage — with much of it being highly sensitive — the magnitude of managing all that data safely and effectively can seem overwhelming. Information management is especially crucial for organizations in heavily regulated industries like Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), health care, legal, government and public sector agencies, among others.

Huge repositories of data from legacy systems and separate information streams that have accumulated over the years result in storage of unstructured data and dark data: large collections of disorganized or unused information that could be redundant or irrelevant, leading to potential risk or compliance issues.

But that untapped data store may also unlock vital insights for any organization, if it could be effectively and efficiently processed, organized and analyzed.

“How can you turn passive assets like unstructured and dark data into active intelligence that could benefit your company?” asked Narasimha Goli, chief product and technology officer, Iron Mountain. “Many organizations typically have vast amounts of data — hundreds of thousands of documents stored across various systems. These files are not just static records; they contain highly valuable hidden insights. You just need the right mechanism to sift through the noise and locate the intelligence within them.”

Enter agentic AI

With agentic AI, the next evolution in automation is here and enterprises are rapidly adopting this new technology. Agentic AI uses AI-powered, autonomous agents that can think, learn and make dynamic, context-based decisions to achieve specific goals.

Global leader in information management services Iron Mountain has launched the latest version of its InSight^® Digital Experience Platform (DXP), which uses agentic AI to streamline manual document and data processes and unlock actionable insights from unstructured data, all while governing information intelligently and compliantly in a secure, AI-powered data platform, transforming that data into intelligence to ignite productivity.

Here are the results you can achieve for your enterprise from InSight DXP:

• Remove the ROT: Streamline data storage and organization by getting rid of the Redundant, Obsolete and Trivial (ROT) content. Improve relevance by de-duplicating records and clearing the clutter.
• Improve workflows: The latest InSight DXP platform makes it easier to intelligently structure formerly unstructured data and build AI-ready workflows. Agentic workflows can autonomously navigate complex, multi-step, document-intensive processes, allowing AI agents to uncover insights and patterns that are virtually impossible to find through manual review.
• Increase searchability: An AI searchable database streamlines work efficiency. InSight DXP provides a powerful, unified search layer across all your physical and digital assets. This is more than just searching; it uses Knowledge Graphs to understand the relationships between documents and data, enabling the system to answer complex, multi-document questions and deliver immediate, comprehensive insight, supporting faster, more informed decision-making.
• Enhance compliance: With 23% of BFSI companies citing regulatory and compliance hurdles as a major roadblock to digital transformation, InSight DXP integrates with Iron Mountain’s Policy Center to automatically apply records retention schedules and legal hold rules. The platform can unify and govern digital and physical information, enabling agents to operate on consistent, compliant data across different repositories, formats and jurisdictions.
• Protect sensitive information: New personally identifiable information (PII) redaction capabilities further reduce manual effort and minimize compliance risk by automatically detecting and obscuring sensitive data like individual names, account information, Social Security numbers and more.

Humans stay in the loop

Iron Mountain’s platform keeps humans and AI agents working together, with humans firmly in command to define decision rights and escalation paths and provide oversight. The system affirms responsible AI use with tactics such as preserving data lineage and audit trails.

Information guides future action

Responsibly and intelligently storing and managing all of its information in the digital age is key to an enterprise’s ability to thrive and grow into the future.

“The increasing struggle to store, organize and analyze vast volumes of data can slow down processes and make decisions more difficult for any business,” said Goli. “Using the power of AI to manage information effectively on a single, secure platform can help turn formerly unusable or inaccessible data into an intelligent asset to uncover valuable new insights.”

Learn how agentic AI can streamline your information management processes at IronMountain.com.

2025-11-12T10:01:00

(BPT) – For anyone with asthma, keeping symptoms under control can sometimes feel like a constant struggle. Between seasonal weather changes and allergies, indoor and outdoor pollutants, and warding off colds and the flu, it may seem that your asthma medications just aren’t doing enough.

Because asthma is a chronic condition that responds to your overall health and the environment, it’s important to be proactive in managing the condition. If symptoms keep coming back even while you’re using medications, check in with your doctor and adjust your treatment plan.

To help people with asthma gain better control, medical experts with Allergy & Asthma Network recommend a whole-body approach. By boosting your wellness through specific lifestyle changes, you can improve how you feel every day — and keep your asthma symptoms more manageable.

Here are tips and resources to help improve your well-being with asthma.

Use exercise to reduce airway inflammation

You’ve probably heard that exercise is good for your overall health, but it can also play an important role in managing your asthma. Exercise can improve lung function, reduce airway inflammation and strengthen your immune system, which can reduce your risk of respiratory infections. Stronger muscles also improve blood flow to the lungs, helping you breathe more easily.

Since exercise can be an asthma trigger, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Begin with low-impact activities like brief walks or bike rides. You can also try strength training using light weights or resistance bands.

Eat healthy, anti-inflammatory foods

Nutrition can be another valuable tool for managing asthma. For some people, eating anti-inflammatory foods can help, like fresh fruits, veggies and lean meats. It can also help if you limit intake of carbohydrates (think bread and pasta) and alcohol. Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist for advice on managing your weight and eating a healthier diet.

Find and remove potential asthma triggers

It’s hard to avoid asthma triggers everywhere. But you can start by reducing them at home. Identifying your specific asthma triggers will help you decide what to tackle first.

Get mold cleaned out right away and use a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth. Keep windows and doors closed to keep pollen outside and use portable or whole-home air purifiers. Frequently washing bedding in hot water, keeping pets out of bedrooms, and eliminating carpet and rugs can reduce exposure to dust mites and pet dander.

Ask your healthcare provider about adjusting your medications on days when air quality is worse.

Get quality sleep

Not getting enough sleep can affect your immune system. This plays a huge role in lung health. It’s important to develop good sleep habits. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and free of potential triggers like dust mites (washing bedding regularly can help). Avoid alcohol or caffeine close to bedtime, and take a break from digital devices an hour or two before you go to bed. It also helps to keep the same sleeping and waking schedule every day, even on weekends.

Reduce stress

As you may already know, stress can impact any medical condition, including lung diseases like asthma. To help reduce stress in your life, consider activities that relax you, like meditation, yoga, walking outdoors or reading. If you’re feeling a lot of anxiety or depression, consider seeking counseling.

Stick to your treatment plan

To help keep your asthma under control, it’s key to continue taking your medications as prescribed, including albuterol inhalers for quick relief and your daily controller medications (usually inhaled corticosteroids).

If your asthma is not well controlled, ask about advanced medications called biologics. These are for people with moderate to severe asthma or eosinophilic asthma. Biologics work at the cellular level, with the goal of stopping symptoms before they can start.

If you feel that your asthma symptoms are not well managed, discuss your treatment plan with your healthcare provider to see if changes need to be made.

Try Virtual Asthma Coaching

It may feel overwhelming to manage a chronic condition like asthma, but you don’t have to do it alone. Get support through the Virtual Asthma Coaching Program, part of Allergy & Asthma Network’s Trusted Messengers program. It’s a free six-week series of one-on-one online sessions with a certified asthma educator (available in English and Spanish). You’ll learn practical ways to improve your environment, maintain healthy habits and work with your healthcare team to better control your asthma.

These sessions are designed to help people with asthma adopt healthy behaviors and make informed decisions about their health. Visit AsthmaCoach.org to learn more and sign up.

2025-11-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) achieved unprecedented results in 2024, marking the highest savings and participation rates since the program’s inception. The program generated $2.5 billion in Medicare savings while distributing $4.1 billion in performance payments to physicians, a clear validation that coordinated care models can simultaneously improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs.¹

However, the difference in performance across the participating accountable care organizations (ACOs) reveals important lessons about what drives success. While 75% of ACOs earned performance payments program-wide, the distribution was far from uniform. Aledade‘s physician-led ACOs achieved a 93% success rate, compared to the 73% program average.² These performance results directly translate to patient care, with higher-performing ACOs demonstrating measurable improvement in preventive care delivery, chronic disease management and overall patient health outcomes.

While the data proves that value-based care works, to be truly successful, execution and partnership strategies matter.

“Aledade understands the role we play, and they’ve made Medicare understand the role we play,” said Daljeet Saluja, M.D., of Saluja Medical Associates in Baltimore, Maryland. “To be rewarded for our good work is very powerful, and that’s why most Aledade physicians see more shared savings year after year.”

Beyond the dollars: Aledade ACO partners measurably impact patient lives

Beyond saving dollars, Aledade impacts health care for the better, supporting its partners with resources and tools to deliver measurable improvements in the health and daily lives of every patient in the network.

• Preventing unnecessary costs at scale: Aledade’s partners helped their patients avoid 263,000 unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits, all while conducting more than 800,000 annual wellness visits.²
• Quality care that counts: Aledade partner practices and clinics have driven significant health improvements including increases in hypertension control rates — 4% higher than the national average.²
• Improved patient experience: Patients of Aledade partner practices gave a 92% physician approval rating, while 84% of patients agree Aledade practices allow them to get timely care and information.³
• Equity in action: Aledade partners with over 25% of community health centers (CHCs) in MSSP, helping them achieve meaningful shared savings. These savings enable CHCs to reinvest in under-resourced and rural communities while delivering patient-centered care that prevents illness, manages chronic conditions and ensures positive experiences regardless of economic status.²

These outcomes show health care transformation that prioritizes patients: preventing illness, managing chronic conditions effectively and ensuring positive care experiences regardless of economic circumstances.

“One huge advantage of participating in an Aledade ACO and earning shared savings has been that we are able to spend more time with our sickest patients,” said Christine Meyer, M.D., founder of Christine Meyer, MD & Associates, in Exton, Pennsylvania. “By reducing the number of patient visits per hour, our sickest and most complicated patients get comprehensive care with every visit.”

Performance differentiation: What drives superior results

Aledade’s performance stems from providing actionable insights and dedicated support for clinicians to keep their patients healthier while generating revenue through value-based care contracts/arrangements. With more than 200 field coaches across 46 states, Aledade understands unique market dynamics and delivers coaching that meets specific local challenges to provide better patient care. Aledade’s technology also drives superior results, by surfacing electronic health record (EHR), hospital, lab, pharmacy and claims data all in one place, showing digestible patient insights at the point of care. This drives earlier clinical intervention, improved care coordination and quality, all while alleviating administrative workloads.

The financial impact is substantial: Individual practices and clinics averaged $390,000 each in shared savings payments. Spanning rural, suburban and urban markets across 59 ACOs in 46 states, Aledade demonstrates that focused primary care investment creates sustainable competitive advantages regardless of geographic or demographic challenges.²

For physicians considering value-based care: These results offer a clear roadmap

Physicians should look for a partner with demonstrated operational excellence, physician-led governance and a track record of supporting primary care organizations across the board. The success of Aledade’s physician-led ACOs demonstrates that primary care physicians can deliver exceptional patient care while maintaining financially sustainable organizations. This proves that high-quality care, better patient access, reductions of unnecessary costs and improved profitability can all work together.

Visit Aledade to learn more.

1 Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations Updated Performance Year 2024 Financial and Quality Results

2 Performance Year Financial and Quality Results, Data.CMS.gov. The individual performance of non-Aledade ACOs may be better or worse than the average.

3 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems, CMS

2025-11-12T08:25:54

(BPT) – Is the customer click-through dead? Thanks to AI and modern online search, the answer is often yes.

New tools and features like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT and Perplexity are now how people discover and trust content. Online information is crawled and then summarized into bite-sized answers that make it easy for people to get the information they need. There is no additional searching or clicking through to a website.

This change means a new goal for brands: Get into AI summaries and overviews as much as possible.

To better understand the current landscape, the communications experts at branded content company Brandpoint answer top AI search questions.

Where does AI get answers?

AI enhanced search and AI Overviews often contain links and website citations. These are what the AI crawlers have deemed credible and pulled from to write the answer for the search query. This is where brands and their key messages want to appear.

The challenge is that there is currently no one strategy that guarantees you will show up in AI Overviews. But there are steps you can take to position your brand for success and make your content more appealing, like structuring copy in a way that is easily readable by AI.

How do you write content for AI search?

Since AI crawls content online to create answers, you need to revamp how you write and publish communications like press releases, blog posts, sponsored content articles and social media posts.

Structured formats like Q&As, listicles and bylines with credible sources have potential to get cited by AI engines more reliably. Short, clear and well-formatted content is more likely to be surfaced and cited, especially when placed on multiple high-quality media sites. Whatever the topic, strive to create content that answers questions people ask online or solves a customer problem.

How do you balance AI readability with human readability?

Many of the strategies for helping AI to read your content are the same strategies you’d use to make digital content more readable for your target audiences. Both people and AI better process online content that is well organized, with succinct paragraphs including subheads and bullets where it makes sense.

Additionally, both people and AI are seeking answers to questions, so keep intent in mind and include valuable, high-quality information. Rather than separate strategies, AI and human readability are complementary in content creation.

How do you guarantee media placements that AI can scan for answers?

Branded content is one way to control your message and get it published on high-quality websites. Branded content refers to paid placements that are distributed on media sites, such as a sponsored article on a newspaper website.

USA Today is just one example of the high-quality publishers on Brandpoint’s network. Many publishers now have partnerships and licensing agreements with AI companies, such as Perplexity AI with Gannett, which owns USA Today and more than 200 local publications.

How often should brands publish content to appeal to AI?

There is no specific frequency for how often brands should publish content for AI search visibility. The key consideration is to create high-quality content, have consistent messaging and publish regularly using different PESO methods — paid, earned, social and owned.

For bigger brands with larger budgets and teams, this could mean multiple times a week. For small brands, this could mean once every two weeks or even monthly. Publishing frequently and consistently is better, as long as it doesn’t sacrifice quality.

What technical data is needed for content to get found by AI?

It’s important to consider technical best practices to help AI discover content. Structured data, also called schema markup, helps define digital content so AI can read and understand it quickly and accurately. Schema markup is standardized technical code added to a website.

Where can you learn more about AI search?

To learn more about AI search and how you can craft and publish content that appeals to AI, watch the recent webinar, “Branded Content in the Era of AI & GEO: Myths, Truths & Trends.”

To learn more about how branded content can support your goals, visit Brandpoint.com.

2025-11-11T12:31:00

(BPT) – For lifestyle expert, TV host, and designer Sabrina Soto, every cozy fall moment begins with coffee. “I’m Latina, so coffee is literally in my DNA,” she says. “Growing up, coffee was always brewing, always part of the conversation.”

That love of coffee inspires how she approaches fall at home, from layering rich textures to brewing seasonal flavors that fill the house with warmth and comfort. Soto shares how she brings her favorite fall rituals to life with Don Francisco’s Coffee, blending design and flavor into everyday moments.

Explore New Seasonal Coffee Flavors

For Soto, coffee isn’t just a morning ritual. It’s part of her heritage and a daily source of comfort. Pumpkin spice will always have its moment, but this fall Soto is reaching for new cozy favorites from Don Francisco’s Coffee, including Maple Pecan and Caramel Spiced Rum. Both are crafted with 100% Arabica beans and capture the comforting flavors of the season in every sip.

Maple Pecan combines the sweet comfort of maple and toasted pecans with caramel undertones for an indulgent cup, while Caramel Spiced Rum layers dark caramel and butterscotch with just a hint of spiced rum for a decadent twist.

According to the DoorDash Fall Flavor Trends Report, pecan is the fastest-growing fall flavor, with orders up 28% year over year. Meanwhile, caramel remains a top choice in 13 states, indicating that these blends are right on trend for 2025.

“The Maple Pecan is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings and the Caramel Spiced Rum? That’s my after-dinner treat,” said Soto. “They’re delicious on their own, but I also love using them as a base for recipes when I’m having people over.”

Create a Cozy Atmosphere

Soto says fall decorating is all about engaging the senses, and for her, coffee is at the heart of it. She recommends thinking in layers (visual, tactile, and aromatic) to create spaces that feel truly inviting.

“I’m obsessed with layering this time of year, not just with throws and pillows, but with scents and flavors too,” said Soto. “Start with what you already have. Grab a favorite blanket, light some candles, or bring in branches and leaves from your yard. Tie them with ribbon or twine in warm tones like burnt orange or deep burgundy, and suddenly your space feels completely different. It doesn’t have to be expensive to feel special.”

She says the same approach applies to your coffee. “Layer it up,” she adds. “Top it with whipped cream, sprinkle cinnamon, drizzle caramel; it’s the easiest way to make your cup feel cozy and indulgent.”

“From a design perspective, I always tell people to think about texture first. Mix smooth ceramics with rough wood, soft linens with woven baskets. Then add warmth through lighting. Swap out bright bulbs for softer, amber-toned ones, or just light a bunch of candles,” she explained. “But honestly? The scent is what pulls it all together. Whether it’s candles, fresh eucalyptus, or coffee brewing in the kitchen, that’s what makes people feel at home.”

Entertain With Flavor

As the season shifts, Soto’s love of coffee goes beyond décor. It’s part of how she entertains, creating moments that feel warm, inviting and effortless.

“When friends come over, I want everything to feel warm and intentional but not fussy,” she said. “This Maple Pecan Buttercream Coffee is one of those things that looks impressive but takes literally five minutes. People always ask for the recipe.”

Don Francisco’s Maple Pecan Buttercream Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Don Francisco’s Maple Pecan Coffee, brewed hot
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Small pinch sea salt
• 2 tablespoons crushed toasted pecans

Instructions:

1. Brew 1 cup Don Francisco’s Maple Pecan Coffee and keep hot.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk or mix milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt until smooth and lightly foamy.
3. Divide hot coffee between two mugs.
4. Layer buttercream mixture over each coffee; spoon extra foam on top.
5. Finish with a generous sprinkle of crushed toasted pecans.

Sip Sustainably

For Soto, cozy living also means conscious living. She incorporates sustainable practices into her daily routine in simple, practical ways.

“I toss my used coffee grounds right into the garden. They’re amazing for fertilizer and keeping pests away,” said Soto. “And I recycle the coffee bags through Don Francisco’s free TerraCycle program. Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated. Little everyday choices really do add up.”

Find Your Fall Flavor

Don Francisco’s Coffee offers a variety of coffees, including seasonal flavor blends that are available for a limited time at DonFranciscos.com and Amazon.com/donfranciscos. Follow @DonFranciscos on Instagram for more cozy-season recipes, giveaways and inspiration.

2025-11-11T07:01:00

(BPT) – Have you ever thought about what healthcare would be like if the people who keep it running weren’t there? No friendly hello at check-in. No vitals waiting in the chart. No medications prepared on time. A doctor or nurse trying to do it all, while patients wait.

Healthcare doesn’t stand still — it slows down. Wait times grow, providers burn out, and communities feel the gap. Allied health professionals are the ones who keep care moving, who support providers, and who have the closest and most frequent contact with patients.

Allied health professionals are the “heart and hands” of the healthcare industry. Can you imagine care without them?

With an estimated global healthcare staffing shortage of 11 million by 2030, the roles of allied health professionals are more important now than ever to ensure patients receive the care they need and deserve. Keep reading to learn more about one person’s allied health journey.

Jada’s story

When Jada Clanton first visited Clearwater, Florida, in 2023, she had no idea how much the trip would reshape her life. Originally from Pennsylvania, the 25-year-old came to see her daughter’s father — but the visit took an unexpected turn when he left them stranded. Rather than letting the experience define her, Jada found strength in the kindness of strangers and the warmth of the community. Inspired by the people she met and the resilience she discovered, she made a bold decision: In July 2024, she returned to Florida with her daughter to start fresh and build a new life.

During a chance encounter at her apartment complex, Jada met a neighbor who had just enrolled in a patient care technician program at a local college.

Intrigued, Jada asked for details, and her neighbor referred her to classes at Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA), a Florida-based nonprofit allied healthcare educational institution with more than 15,000 students and 100,000 alumni nationwide.

Inspired by their conversation and excited by the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career in healthcare, Jada signed up with UMA to become a medical assistant. The rest, as they say, is history.

Her motivation was deeply personal. Two years earlier, Jada’s father passed away in her arms from a stroke.

“He was having a stroke, and I didn’t know any of the signs,” she said. “Watching my dad pass away was very traumatic for me, and I just don’t ever want to feel that useless again in a moment like that.”

That moment, combined with her role as a mom, ignited her desire to learn how to check vitals and recognize medical emergencies — skills she’s now mastering at UMA.

Tableside to bedside

Before UMA, Jada spent nearly a decade as a restaurant server. She loved connecting with her patrons and making their day just a little brighter, and that care and empathy now fuel her passion for healthcare.

“Serving really taught me how to deal with so many circumstances, so many different people, so many different situations,” she said. “That is definitely a part of what I know will make me a good medical assistant.”

Despite facing challenges like lack of childcare, transportation and financial strain, Jada persevered. UMA supported her with work-study opportunities and mentorship, helping her secure housing and stay on track academically.

“I walked into UMA with nothing — no plan, no babysitters, no daycare — but the staff helped me take the steps I needed to get those resources in place and get into school,” she said. “No matter what, they didn’t let me give up.”

Now serving as a student ambassador, Jada helps classmates stay motivated and contributes to UMA’s social media content. She’s also exploring her creative side — writing music, designing clothes, and creating TikTok skits with her daughter. Her five-year goal is to become an anesthesiologist assistant.

Jada’s time at UMA has opened a world of possibilities for herself and for her daughter. The little family recently moved into their own house, and Jada is expected to graduate with her medical assistant certification in spring 2026.

“UMA has truly transformed both our lives. Not only did I find a career that I enjoy and offers real growth, but it’s one that empowers me to support my daughter and make a difference for others as well,” Jada shared. “This journey has helped me grow into a stronger woman. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone and proved that I’m capable of achieving far more than I ever imagined.”

Reimagining education

Jada’s story is emblematic of a broader shift in how Americans are navigating their careers. Recent reports show that the traditional college-to-career pipeline is under strain. According to a study by Handshake, a career platform geared toward Gen Z workers, entry-level corporate job postings have dropped by 15%, while applications have surged by 30%, pushing the unemployment rate for recent college graduates to nearly 6%. AI and automation are replacing many roles that once served as career steppingstones.

In contrast, certificate programs — like those offered at UMA — are gaining traction among learners from all backgrounds. Allied healthcare careers are somewhat insulated from automation, and provide hands-on training, shorter program durations, and job placement support. In fact, many learners like Jada are choosing certificate programs not just for economic reasons, but because they offer a clearer, more direct route to meaningful work.

“This was literally the best decision I’ve ever made in my life,” she said.

To learn more about the stories of allied health professionals, visit: https://www.ultimatemedical.edu/perspectives/.

2025-11-10T07:01:00

(BPT) – Ever wanted to quit your job? If yes, you’re in the majority because according to Gallup, 51% of the U.S. workforce is open to leaving their current position. What’s worse for employers, it can cost one-half to two times an employee’s annual salary to replace them. This makes the retention of your current workforce extremely important for any company wanting to run smoothly without racking up hiring expenses.

The best way to retain employees is through engagement. Gallup notes that engaged workforces have 78% less absenteeism, 18% higher sales productivity and 23% higher profitability.

The question is how. Studies and surveys of employees have found three common engagement problems, and actionable solutions your company can implement immediately.

Engagement problem No. 1: Engaging in professional development

As of 2025, 9% of employees specifically cite a lack of “advancement, development or career opportunities” as their reason for leaving.

Solution: Offer clear growth opportunities

Long-term career goals like promotions and pay raises with measurable performance requirements give employees milestones to work toward. But promotions aren’t the only path to career progress. Your team wants access to certificate programs and professional networking that can build expertise and soft skills.

Engagement problem No. 2: Engaging in employee appreciation

According to WorkHuman, over half of surveyed employees feel only somewhat valued (46.4%) or not valued at all (10.7%) by their workplace, meaning over half of employees don’t feel acknowledged and appreciated for their work.

Solution: Implement a Rewards & Recognition (R&R) program

Studies show employees are 45% less likely to leave their jobs when they’re recognized and R&R programs can decrease turnover by 40%.

Reward employees every day with these ideas:

• Well-stocked breakrooms – Offer cafe-quality beverage options in the breakroom with Java House’s ready-brewed Peel & Pour Pods that come in a variety of roasts and styles, including iced coffee, lattes, hot cocoa and tea. With a wider selection of options readily available, employees are less likely to leave the office for a coffee or beverage break in the middle of the day.
• Branded gear – Outfit team members with quality branded merchandise like the customizable options from Lands’ End to serve as both a token of appreciation and a symbol of pride employees can literally wear on their sleeves.

Recognition ideas:

• Thank-yous – Saying “thank you” can go a long way in showing appreciation for employees, especially when paired with team-wide recognition in emails, Teams or Slack.
• Awards – Regularly celebrate employees’ accomplishments together by implementing an “Employee of the Month” program, a quarterly certificate program or an annual awards ceremony.

Engagement problem No. 3: Engaging worker flexibility

Flexibility doesn’t just mean working from home. In fact, 58% of American workers are front-line employees who cannot work remotely.

Solution: Encourage work-life balance

“Work-life balance” refers to the balance between the time spent working and the time spent with family or doing other enjoyable activities. This looks different for everyone, but workers agree it’s important.

Gallup shares that 31% of workers cite their well-being and lack of work-life balance as reasons for leaving their current employer. To counter this, let employees know you care about them in and out of the office with policies like flexible working hours, PTO, and maternity and paternity leave.

Engaged employees are critical to workplace retention. Ensure employees know you appreciate the work they do by investing in their skills, granting them flexibility, and regularly rewarding and recognizing them.

2025-11-10T08:01:00

(BPT) – Can you imagine your ideal employee? That person might exhibit determination, adaptability, problem-solving and ingenuity. Those qualities are readily found in people with a wealth of untapped skills who also live with disabilities, making them strong candidates for companies needing to hire.

Qualities employers are looking for

People living with disabilities tackle daily challenges in pursuit of the lives they want. They handle detours on city sidewalks, learn to drive a truck using a joystick or graduate from colleges not designed for wheelchair users. These everyday obstacles reveal their grit and resilience.

According to the Department of Labor, the employment rate for people with disabilities between ages 16-64 was about 37% in 2024. People with disabilities face significantly higher unemployment rates and are nearly twice as likely to work part-time as those without disabilities. Thousands of talented people with disabilities — including paralysis — are ready and eager to enter the workforce.

Employers wanting to explore the many benefits of hiring people with disabilities can find resources and information from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC).

“A huge amount of untapped talent exists in the community of people facing challenges like paralysis,” said Sheila Fitzgibbon, senior director, NPRC. “Employers struggling to find outstanding people for positions will be pleased to discover how much talent is out there, if they know where to look.”

ADA basics

If you’re considering expanding your hiring, you may have concerns about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passed by Congress in 1990, this federal law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities, including employment. For questions about specific aspects of the law, contact your regional center at ADAta.org.

The ADA prohibits employers from rejecting qualified applicants simply because they have a disability, and bans discriminatory practices in the workplace. That means reasonable accommodations must be made for any job applicants and employees who need them.

Understanding accommodations

The best way to understand accommodations is to think of them as “productivity enhancers.” Accommodations allow already capable people to do their jobs successfully. An accountant with limited dexterity might request speech recognition software to tackle spreadsheets with her voice rather than her hands, or a teacher with paraplegia might request a writing aid for grading homework.

Employees can request accommodations from their supervisor or human resources department when beginning a new job and anytime thereafter; there is no deadline for requests. Needs may evolve as the work environment or job specifics change, or as the employee ages. Applicants with disabilities can also seek accommodations to compete for a job. For example, a wheelchair user might request that a job interview occur on the ground floor of a building lacking an elevator.

Reasonable accommodation requests for people living with paralysis might include:

• Assistive technology like large-button keyboards or voice recognition software.
• Improved office accessibility, like installing automatic doors and grab bars in the bathroom.
• Assigned accessible parking spot near the entrance.

Finding employees

Employers can expand their talent pool by first ensuring their applicant screening processes don’t exclude people.

“Employers are recognizing they may be unnecessarily eliminating applicants,” said Susanne Bruyere, academic director and Employment Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN) principal investigator at the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, Cornell University. “AI screening tools might pick up anomalies in resumes, like extended employment gaps, which happen for people with health conditions. That can automatically and inadvertently eliminate viable candidates.”

One alternative is to use job boards and employment programs dedicated to increasing employment among people with disabilities. Here are some places to start:

• abilityJOBS connects applicants and employers through a resume bank, employment listings and virtual job fairs.
• AbilityLinks offers resume workshops and networking events with employers for veterans and people with disabilities.
• Our Ability Jobs helps job seekers with disabilities create in-depth job profiles, then matches them to openings using advanced technology.
• Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities connects federal agencies with recent graduates with disabilities; private sector employers can request access to applicants at earn@askearn.org.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies provide career counseling and on-the-job training for people with disabilities; rehabilitation counselors may arrange short-term trials with potential employees.

Financial benefits

Beyond increasing your chances of finding great candidates, your business may benefit from financial incentives. Federal tax credits are available to businesses who hire and/or invest in workplace accessibility for people with disabilities, and a Work Opportunity Tax Credit can be claimed by employers who hire applicants facing significant challenges in finding work — including people with paralysis who receive Supplemental Security Income or have been referred through Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Disabled Access Credit provides a credit for small businesses that invest in accessibility improvements for people with disabilities, and the Barrier Removal Tax Deduction is available to businesses of any size. Examples of qualifying actions include widening doorways, installing ramps or modifying restrooms. Many state-based initiatives also offer tax credits for hiring, accessibility improvements and investments in workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities.

The bottom line

By expanding how you seek and hire talent, your business will benefit in significant ways — most importantly by helping you find the best person for every position.

Learn more about how your organization can benefit from hiring people with disabilities at ChristopherReeve.org/Ask.