From lack of accommodations to facing stigma around their disability, it can be difficult for workers with disabilities to have a good, successful career. Of course, many countries have systems in place to ensure these workers can pursue professional endeavors. There are laws such as the US’s Americans With Disabilities Act. This bill was put in place to protect people from being turned away or fired from jobs based on their disability. In addition to laws, multiple different counties offer work programs, such as the US’s Ticket to Work program or 14(c) certificates, that workers with disabilities can participate in.
The Reality Behind Employment Statistics
So why is it that only 22.5% of people with a disability in the US are employed, according to the US Department of Labor? On top of that, around one-third of workers with disabilities reported facing workplace discrimination in 2023. And that’s not the only issue workers with disabilities face. They are also more likely to earn less. If we have these systems in place, why don’t they seem to be helping?
One possible reason for this could be that many companies worldwide would rather pay the fine for not meeting the quota system than hire workers with disabilities. Okay, so what about the programs? Well, those also aren’t as helpful as they might seem. Some of these programs, such as the 14(c) certificates, allow for workers with disabilities to be paid a subminimum wage. On average, these certificate holders end up making $4.15 an hour. Sometimes they are even earning less than $3.50. A study conducted by Atticus found that workers with disabilities in the US earn 42% less than workers without disabilities. Since many workers with disabilities have difficulty being hired at high-paying jobs, they end up earning less than those without a disability.
Overcoming Stigma and Misconceptions
There is a lot of stigma around certain disabilities as well. For example, workers with ADHD are often perceived as too lazy or unable to be productive, while workers with intellectual disabilities are seen as not smart enough to perform certain tasks. However, hiring people with disabilities can actually be extremely beneficial to a company. In a report from Accenture, companies that led in disability inclusion saw higher revenues, more net income, and doubled profits. They also saw that workers with disabilities were 25% more likely to perform better in productivity than their peers without disabilities and are, at times, more loyal employees.
Another reason companies don’t hire workers with disabilities is the potential idea that they will have to empty their pockets to pay for the requested accommodations. These accommodations can range from offering hybrid work schedules to buying actual equipment for workers to use in the office. The cost of accommodations is, on average, around $300 for a one-time purchase or $3,750 annually, and almost half of these purchases are one-time deals. Not only do workers with disabilities benefit from these accommodations but employers benefit as well. An accommodation like a hybrid work schedule can broaden a company’s talent pool and business opportunities. Ultimately, employers benefit the most as they gain an employee that adds to the company’s overall productivity and creates a more diverse workplace culture.
The Path to True Inclusion
While things have been improving since the pandemic highlighted the fact that hybrid schedules can be doable and workers will still be productive, there is still a long way to go for many companies. Perhaps they will eventually see that their fine money may be better put to use towards accommodating inclusion within their companies.
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