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Working With Persons With Disabilities

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).

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Working With Persons With Disabilities

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  1. 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)

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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?

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

  12. 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

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