The Rise in the Unemployment Rate for Persons with Disabilities Contributes to the Downfall of our Economy

Details

Published on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 05:20

The unemployment rate for persons with disabilities has risen once again. In 2011, there was a steady rise during the first three quarters of the year, from 13.6% to 16.1%.  However, in the last quarter many were excited about the significant drop to 12.9% and hoped it was a sign of things to come. It is now clear this is not so with the release of the first quarter statistics for 2012. The unemployment rate has risen back up to 15.9%. According to the The Allsup Disability Study: Income at Risk the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities was 74 percent higher than those without disabilities for the first quarter of 2012.

Persons with Disabilities are often passed over for jobs because of the belief that they are unreliable due to there disabilities and/or that the cost of modifications to accomodate them will be to great. In actuality, many persons with disabilities are not chronically ill to the point where their disability results in sporatic illnesses that would decrease there work performance. In addition, many persons with disabilities value their jobs and therefore are more dedicated than the average employee especially because of the amount of difficulty experienced in acquiring employment. Accomodations are normally minor and many times unnecesary.

Persons with Disabilities make-up 1/5th of the American population. When they remain unemployed they are forced to rely on the government for support. When they are employed they contribute to the countries tax income. It is therefore essential to our economic recovery to employ persons with disabilities.

People who are able and ready to work and who posess the needed skills, should be able to work!

---