The Employment Gap Between People With and Without Disabilities is still Huge

I just recently read in a research report from Cornell University that a dramatic 42 percent employment gap separates working-age people with and without disabilities in the workforce.

It saddens me to read those kinds of statistics. There is no reason why the gap has to be that big in our information economy, where work is much less about physical labor than ever before. Nowadays employment possibilities for people with disabilities are huge. Having computer skills is the key though, but any person with a physical disability can be trained to learn those skills thanks to adaptive technologies and the many government programs in existence that help with funding educational programs for people with disabilities. The widespread availability of online classes makes getting an education even easier for a person with limited mobility.

However, employers must also be willing to hire people with disabilities. But hiring managers too often rather play it “safe” by hiring an able-bodied person instead of a person with a disability even though the disability has no impact on the job needing to be performed. What we need is a cultural shift in corporate America where a person with a disability is given a “real” equal opportunity based on his or her intellectual capabilities, while setting any physical barriers aside. Provide us with access to the office building, which usually doesn’t need to cost that much, or let us telecommute and we can perform most computer related jobs just efficiently as anyone else out there.

And for those people with a disability already employed, be a good ambassador by giving it your best shot showing your superiors and peers that your contributions are just as valuable or better as anyone else’s. At least that’s what I try to do. Of course, I am in it to make myself a comfortable living and to provide for my family, but I always think about how my performance might convince some hiring manager to give another person with a disability an opportunity to flourish. We have dreams to be productive and successful in life like anyone else. Just give us a chance and we will show you we can prevail!