Employers who are having trouble finding qualified workers for their businesses should consider tapping into an overlooked resource: disabled people.

That was the message in the spotlight during Tuesday’s Marquette stop of the MI Hidden Talent tour, which, as its name says, is aimed at finding the talent disabled people can offer.

Hiring Michiganders with disabilities would change the dynamic for many companies across the state, according to Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who took part in the tour.

However, those people have to be given a chance. Employers need to look beyond the wheelchair, for example, to discover that hidden talent.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, who is visually impaired, also took part in the tour. He’s been able to serve on the bench by listening to numerous cases, despite his disability.

In fact, Bernstein said he hopes Michigan sets an example for other states to follow by looking to add more disabled people to the workforce.

At each tour stop, Calley and Bernstein were to highlight a local business that sets an example for others in hiring as well as local partners available to help other businesses follow suit. The tour Tuesday visited Lakestate Industries, located in Harvey and Escanaba, which hires people with disabilities to work for real pay in real jobs.

That’s just one instance of that segment of the population learning a work ethic and contributing to society. There should be more.

In fact, the offer of employment for a disabled person is what Bernstein called a “game changer” because that person will overachieve, given the thrill of being handed that opportunity.

And non-disabled people working alongside those with disabilities should be able to learn a lot about resiliency and understanding.

As Bernstein said, everyone benefits, and we support the MI Hidden Talent tour for bringing awareness to this issue.