For young people with disabilities, relationships with caring adults who have high expectations is key to fostering independence, self-sufficiency and a potentially successful career. Despite recent advances in workplace inclusion, workers with disabilities face roughly twice the levels of unemployment compared to those without disabilities. As our economic recovery continues, it's important that youth and adults with disabilities be fully included in the workforce. An inclusive recovery is a strong recovery. This year's Disability Employment Awareness theme is, appropriately, "America's Recovery: Powered by Inclusion."
Additionally, the third Wednesday of October (October 20, 2021) is Disability Mentoring Day. The Department of Labor states the following goals:
- To enhance internship and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
- To promote disability as a central component of diversity recruitment for a more inclusive workforce.
- To dispel employers' fears about hiring people with disabilities.
- To increase confidence among students and job seekers with disabilities.
- To launch a year-round effort to foster mentoring opportunities.
As kids with disabilities grow up, parents often wonder how or if their child will be "employable" and able to get or hold down a job. Often employers skirt rules or find other legal reasons not to hire people with disabilities. Almost every person with a disability has a story of workplace exclusion. Numbers back up these personal experiences and anecdotes: In September 2021 the Labor Force Participation Rate for people with disabilities at 36.4% vs 76.5% for workers without disabilities; the unemployment rate in September 2021 for workers with disabilities was 9.7% vs 4.5% for people without disabilities.
At eSpecial Needs, we celebrate disabilities and special needs of all kinds, from the "less obvious/hidden" ones to more obvious physical. We provide a wide range of adaptive products for work and home as we strive to continue as a resource for those with disabilities and their families. Our dedicated, knowledgeable, customer service team is always happy to help.
How are you observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month? What are your go-to disability employment resources and tips to share?
Below are just a few resources for more information and to get involved:
- Free virtual celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month will be held on October 20, 2021, hosted by the Office of Disability Employment Policy. This event will feature insightful dialogues and a video showcase highlighting strategies in action for an equitable disability inclusive recovery.
- Department of Labor: Disability Employment Statistics - this illustrates with numbers just how far we need to go for employment parity and inclusion.
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2021 - social media posts to copy and resources for educators and employers.
- Office of Disability Employment Policy - Disability Mentoring Day - resources for youth with disabilities and their families
- American Association of People with Disabilities - Disability Mentoring Day and other initiatives
- What You Can Do - The Campaign for Disability Employment - Inspiration, advocacy, and empowerment for and about employing people with disabilities.
