When the Americans with Disabilities Act became law 15
years ago, the hope was that more people with
disabilities would find work, thereby reducing
government entitlement-program funding. Hiring of
disabled workers reached its peak in the 1990s, at 25
percent of the work force. As of 2004, the numbers had
dropped to 20 percent.
The most common explanation of the decline is that
employers are reluctant to hire people with disabilities
because of the high costs to accommodate them.
But many studies have proved that the average cost of
accommodation is around $600. Most accommodations cost
nothing. They involve merely rearranging office
furniture. The real reason for the drop is something
most people won't admit.
Attitudes toward people with disabilities have
changed at a snail's pace. Understanding the obstacles
of the deaf, blind and those with other severe
disabilities can be explained 100 times over. But that
doesn't mean people will change their minds about the
capabilities of people with disabilities.
The main reason the disability community has a hard
time finding a job is prejudice. Working beside a person
with developmental or other disabilities makes some
people incredibly nervous. They feel awkward,
disoriented and afraid to say or do something that could
be offensive.
This fear is more common than most people want to own
up to. It makes them look bad. If this prejudice begins
with employers, it's difficult to get them to take a
chance on a qualified person with a disability. Unless
someone close to them becomes disabled, there's little
chance to change their minds.
With the rising costs of health care plans and shaky
pension programs, disabled workers make employers
financially nervous, too. Although most of the jobs held
by people with disabilities are low-paying, so they
retain their state or federal health insurance, the
concern is that through promotion as a result of
increased knowledge and skills, disabled workers could
enroll in employer-based programs.
Many people who become disabled while employed are
suddenly out of work after they've used up their
short-term disability benefits. Those who had physically
demanding jobs have few opportunities.
Employers are well within their rights to offer
disabled workers a job at a significantly lower wage, if
that is all they have. If the disabled employees refuse
the step down or fight for a better position, they are
let go. Then the court battle begins.
Government incentives to hire disabled workers have
helped get a wheel in the door. But attitudes on the
other side can make it very difficult to keep the job.
Unless employers set aside fears of increased health
care costs, absenteeism and prejudicial attitudes,
people with disabilities will continue to be on the
entitlement rolls.
Cutting entitlement programs will not increase
employment for the disabled. Believing in equal
opportunity for everyone is the only answer.
McKee, a wheelchair user, is a freelance writer
and producer. You can e-mail her at chairgrrl@chairgrrl.com.
