Is It Really Difficult for Disabled Persons to Find Permanent Employment?

disabled employment

The Americans With Disabilities Act has been officially in place since the year 1990. Employers of all kinds know that they cannot discriminate against disabled persons seeking work at their companies nor employees who have become disabled while in their employ. As many protections as disabled people have in the workplace, there are still many factors that can prevent them from finding and maintaining stable means of employment. Some disabled people enroll in MSW programs online because it is the most convenient way for them to get a higher education and graduate with a degree. Smaller companies may be unwilling to hire a disabled person if that means accommodating those with physical limitations. Even large-scale employers can have virtually invisible discriminatory barriers in place when they refuse to hire disabled individuals, even when they are the best job applicants.

What Education Means When You’re Disabled

Although Betsy Devos just rescinded huge portions of The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, there are still policies that educational institutes have to follow that protects the disabled. For instance, colleges must make their classrooms wheelchair accessible, whether that means they must build ramps or install elevators that are wide enough to fit standard sized wheelchairs. If you are disabled and you want to be hired by a company or corporation then you have to think seriously about your current and ultimately your future education path.

Doing What You Love Versus Doing What You’re Good At

People with disabilities know that nearly any odds are surmountable with continuous effort. For a little girl with a disability who wants to grow up to be a pop singer, television shows like Glee can be entertaining and inspiring simultaneously. Getting wherever you want to go in life is going to be hard. No disabled person should ever settle into a position that they know is not a good fit, just because it seems feasible. If you are mentally disabled, you might be able to follow your dreams of instructing children, even if it is not in a traditional manner.

Organizations For Disabled Job Seekers

Believe it or not, there are companies who are not only open to the idea of hiring disabled people but their entire staff is made up of persons with physical and mental disabilities. If you have an online masters of social work and you enjoy working with other disabled people so that they can reach their goals, then various organizations for disabled job seekers may be a good place for you personally to look for a job. On the outside, there might seem like there are limitations, but if you pull back the layers you can work for a fortune 500 company, a non-profit, or even a small mom and pop business if you come into the interview feeling like you’ve got the job.

In short, yes, it can be hard for disabled people to find permanent employment. You might have chosen an industry that is harder for disabled people to break into. You may just live in an area where there isn’t too much support for people with disabilities. This is why disabled persons must look for organizations that can provide help and never take no for a final answer.

 

Maggie Hammond is a retired nurse and freelance writer, exploring and writing in the U.S. in retirement. An advocate for public health and nursing qualifications, she feels passionate about raising awareness of the current strain on public health organisations.