According to this article, the percentage of people with disabilities that are employed either part-time or full-time is a measly 29%, whereas the number of people without disabilities who are either employed part or full-time is 79%. In a span of 7 years, 11, 500 complaints filed resulted in allegations of discrimination against people with disabilities when hiring. "...people with disabilities need to be aware of the image that they portray to potential employers. Not only must they have the necessary qualifications and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, but they also must be knowledgeable about how best to manage the disability stereotypes that employers hold, to obtain employment." (Dalgin & Bellini, 2008) The fact that people with disabilities must deal with stereotypes and discrimination is very upsetting. It is hard enough for an able-bodied person to get a job, never mind a person with a disability.
"...persons with physical disabilities are viewed more favorably than persons with psychiatric disabilities." (Dalgin & Bellini, 2008) Reading this, I kind of wonder why it is that people with mental disabilities are less eligible for a job opportunity than those with a physical disability. "Mental disorders account for approximately 12% of all diseases and injuries worldwide." (Lauber & Bowen, 2010) If this means that at least 12% of the people in this world are never going to be employed, and are going to be constantly discriminated against, we have a huge problem. This 12% doesn't account for all of the people who are discriminated against due to physical disabilities, race, religion, color of skin, etc. This 12% is a tiny number compared to the total number of people in the world that are discriminated against.
"[Depression] can include psychological distress, poor self-esteem, poor self-management (e.g. not adhering to prescribed medication), fear of returning to work, disturbed relations with colleagues and superiors, and possible job loss." (Lauber & Bowen, 2010) This helps me to understand why many people with mental disabilities find it difficult to find and keep a job. At the same time, employers should be more patient and understanding toward people who may need to be hospitalized, may need to take extra time off, or may need to take an extra 5 minute break. Although employers need to be more understanding toward people with any type of disability, I can understand it may be a problem if the employees without disabilities claim this "special treatment" as unfair, and complain or go to the labor board. All in all, this is a very difficult situation for employers, as well as people with disabilities - but at the same time it must be dealt with.
- Amanda P.
Citations:
Dalgin, R., & Bellini, J. (2008). Invisible Disability Disclosure in an Employment Interview: Impact on Employers' Hiring Decisions and Views of Employability. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 52(1), 6-15. Retrieved from http://rcb.sagepub.com.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/52/1/6.full.pdf+html
Lauber, C., & Bowen, J. (2010). Low mood and employment: When affective disorders are intertwined with the workplace - A UK perspective. International Review of Psychiatry 22(2) , 173-182. Retrieved from http://informahealthcare.com.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/doi/pdf/10.3109/09540261003716405
Being hired or already employed is hard for a person with a disability due to the fact that they must face issues like discrimination. For most parts, coworkers or just people in general always tend to look at what a person is not able to do rather than what they can do. A common example would be if a person with a physical disability got hired coworkers base the employers choice to hire the person with a disability on the fact that they think the employer feels sorry for them, but not that fact that if the person is actually capable of the doing the required tasks. Like you said, it`s this kind of discrimination or biases of people getting "special treatment" if they have a disability that makes the world a harder place to dwell in for a person with disabilities.
ReplyDelete- Kristal
This is very true. Many people do not believe that people with disabilities are able to accomplish tasks that are needed to be an employee in whatever workplace they are in. Many people with disabilities are able to accomplish tasks just like able-bodied people can, but unfortunately not many people believe it.
ReplyDelete- Amanda P.
Great to have read this. I understand what you mean about the part where you mentioned that employers of the people with physical disabilities must be patient with these individuals, and that other employee's may see that type of treatment as unfair because they are of special needs. Although, it may be true that the people with physical disabilities need more patience and needs, the other employee's should be more understanding rather than be more hard on the situation. People with physical disabilities are just living normal lives just like any other, and they should never be discriminated against for having a great opportunity to work that could actually change their life. I worked with a person with a physical disability. We were all very patient with her and she was a great addition to our department. She had a great personality and just because she had a physical disability, it did not stop her from doing her job very well. Great post.
ReplyDelete- Angelene