Working With Persons With Disabilities Exam Emphasis Stereotypes (1) Why Are Disabled Persons Excluded (1) Current Profile (1) What’s It Like to Be a Person with a Disability (2) Independent Living Movement (2) Americans with Disabilities Act (2) Leadership Opportunities (1)

Stereotypes and Realities Persons with Severe Disabilities are Childlike, Dependent, and in Need of Charity or Pity They Are Unable to Lead Normal Lives Most are impaired in only one functional area They Can Only Do Menial or Entry-Level Jobs, and Most Don’t Want to Work They are employed at all levels 90% of new jobs are in the information and service occupations

Stereotypes and Realities They Create Safety Risks, Increase Costs, and Are Less Flexible and Productive than Other Workers Better safety records Better attendance records Are more productive They are More Difficult to Work With Mangers say they are no more difficult Co-Workers say they are just as productive Willing to work hard, reliable, punctual & attendance

Current Profile The Americans with Disability Act defines a person with disability as one who Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities They have a record of such an impairment They are regarded as having such an impairment The Mental Treatment Gap Alters thinking, mood, or behavior that causes distress or impairs a person’s ability to function

Why Are Disabled Persons Excluded? Western Viewpoint Believe that disabled are victims of terrible life circumstances Eastern Viewpoint Disability is a growing experience Media Influences Historically the media portrayed disabled persons as villains, monsters, criminals & tragic figures Fear of Becoming Disabled Unfamiliarity & Discomfort Can cause people to focus on the equipment rather than the individual

What’s It Like to Be A Person With a Disability? Type of Disability  Time and Type of Disability  Acquiring disability later in life rather than from birth seems more “acceptable”  Functions impaired  Extent to which disability interferes with physical attractiveness is key determiner of experience  Severity, Duration, and Status  Temporary/permanent/gray area  Hierarchy of disabilities

What’s It Like to Be A Person With a Disability? Inner resources  Ability to adapt  Psychological support  Interests, values, and goals  Being male or female  Socially acceptable for women to be helpless  Women are free to express their feelings  Expected to be physically perfect

The Independent Living Movement Self-determination as Keystone Disabled are uniquely qualified to plan ways to provide services to disabled persons, sit on advisory boards Independent Living Arrangements Training Assertive Communication To supervise Personal Service Employees For Career Success Integration into Work & Community Life Goal is to live a “normal” life in community

Americans With Disability Act (ADA) ADA applies to all government & private business operations It is broad & subject to interpretation Applies mainly to all who experience motor, visual, auditory, or seizure disorders Clearly state “bona fide job” requirements Providing equal opportunity For qualified disabled persons who meet job requirements Providing reasonable accommodation Medical screening, employment tests, job interviews

Americans With Disability Act (ADA) Protection from Undue Hardship Will accommodation impose an undue hardship on the employer How it affects entire budget of company Decided on a case-by-case basis Accommodation Cost 51% cost nothing 49% cost an average of $300 Less than 1% cost $5,000 or more Protection for the Few or for All?

Overcoming Barriers to Success Making Co-workers Comfortable Finding Adequate Transportation Getting Technological Support Getting On-the-Job Training Getting Ongoing Training and Development

Leadership Opportunities Provide Diversity Training for All Employees Adopt Positive Attitudes Toward Employees with Disabilities Use Positive Language When you say someone is an alcoholic, arthritic, etc, you imply that he/she is nothing more than that Follow the Lead of Successful Companies Make Marketplace Connections