Democrats and Republicans Agree: Prioritize Jobs for People With Disabilities

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- October marks the 72nd celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year, people with disabilities and employers have clear reason to celebrate. More than 343,000 Americans with disabilities got new jobs last year, a fourfold improvement in job gains compared to the previous year.

To mark this celebration, President Donald J. Trump issued a statement affirming his Administration's "support for all the employers who hire Americans with disabilities, providing opportunities for success. It is important that all our Nation's job seekers and creators are both empowered and motivated to partake in our booming economy, and apply their unique talents and skills to the growing workforce."

He added, "We recognize the achievements of Americans with disabilities whose contributions in the workforce help ensure the strength of our Nation. We also renew our commitment to creating an environment of opportunity for all Americans and educating people about disability employment issues."

Expanding employment opportunities is nonpartisan, as both Democrats and Republicans are quick to recognize the abilities of what people with disabilities can accomplish. So far this year, 33 Governors have already shown their support through public proclamations, executive orders and press statements. These include:

At present, a proclamation also is forthcoming from the Governor of Iowa.

An annual celebration, NDEAM is dedicated to raising awareness about disability employment issues and celebrating the incredible contributions of people with disabilities. In total, there are more than 20 million working-age Americans living with some form of disability. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.

Of that number, 7,461,001 have jobs. Nationally, the disability employment rate is 35.9 percent. However, people with disability are twice as likely to have jobs in some states versus others. For example, in North Dakota, more than half of its citizens with disabilities have jobs. Other states with high employment rates for people with disabilities include South Dakota (51.5 percent), Minnesota (48 percent), Alaska (47.9 percent) and Nebraska (47.4 percent). By contrast, barely one-in-four people with disabilities living in states like West Virginia, Alabama and Mississippi have jobs.

"Our nation was founded on the principle that anyone who works hard should be able to get ahead in life," said Steve Bartlett, the chair of RespectAbility. Bartlett, a former U.S. Congressman, the former Mayor of Dallas and a principal author of the Americans with Disabilities Act continued, "People with disabilities deserve equal opportunity to earn an income and achieve independence just like anyone else."

When people with disabilities are given access to the workforce, both the individual and the employers benefit. People with disabilities can bring new talents and ways of thinking to the table. In addition, they are more likely to be loyal to a company once they are hired. Companies such as JP Morgan Chase, Coca-Cola, UPS, IBM, Starbucks and Walgreens practice inclusive hiring and have had great success. As an employer, it is important to consider these talents and advantages when hiring workers.

"People with disabilities bring unique characteristics and talents to our country's economy," said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President of RespectAbility. "They can work in hospitals and hotels, or apply their talents to develop computer software and website design. There are no limits to what they can do."

The impact of employees with disabilities is well-documented and include: higher retention rates, productivity levels, lower absenteeism and lower injury rates. Last year, more than 343,000 people with disabilities entered the nation's workforce – a 4-fold increase over the previous year. As noted by the Council of Economic Advisors, "No group has felt the benefits of accelerated economic growth more than Americans with a disability."

"The disability community is the only minority anyone can join at any time due to accident, illness or injury," Bartlett added. "According to data compiled by the Workplace Initiative, fully 20 percent of workers will experience a disability lasting a year or more during their professional lives, a rate that accelerates as workers age."

Nearly a third of U.S. families have at least one member with a disability and 10 percent have at least one child with a disability, he added.

Throughout the month of October, RespectAbility and other disability groups will be celebrating the accomplishments of employees with disabilities and inclusive employers. Likewise, RespectAbility also is working with state Governors on proclamations and events that showcase cost-effective programs impacting people with disabilities at the state level. 

Media Contact:
Lauren Appelbaum 
Email: [email protected]  

Related Links

RespectAbility website

SOURCE RespectAbility

Related Links

http://www.respectability.org