Work is fundamental to our identity as Arkansans and Americans, both individually and collectively. It provides purpose and the opportunity to live an independent, self-directed life. It supports individuals and families, thereby reducing reliance on publicly funded services.
Put simply, a strong work force is an inclusive work force, one in which all people, including people with disabilities, who want to work can work--and, if needed, have access to the services and supports that enable them to do so.
Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates us about the value of a work force inclusive of their many skills and talents. This year's theme is "America's Workforce: Empowering All." National Disability Employment Awareness Month was declared in 1988 by the United States Congress to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. This celebration is an extension of "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week," originally observed during the first week of October beginning in 1962.
Since then, our nation and our public policy have made significant progress in providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits the federal government from discriminating against applicants and employees based on disability, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 helps people with disabilities access the same employment opportunities and benefits available to people without disabilities.
More recently, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 reinforces the need for our state's work force to become more inclusive regarding hiring practices and aligning these policies with the demands of the Arkansas work force. Employers across our state are recognizing the many benefits of hiring individuals with a wide range of abilities and that any costs associated with providing needed accommodations or supports are very much worth the benefits of having a more inclusive workplace.
Despite all of the wonderful advancements over the past 50 years, there is still much progress to be made. The unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities remains high nationally and within our own state. According to the 2017 Disability Compendium, 31.7 percent of Arkansans with disabilities ages 18 to 64 were employed as compared to 74.7 percent for Arkansans without disabilities. Nationally, 35.9 percent of individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 were employed compared to an employment rate of 76.8 percent for persons without disabilities.
As one can see, the employment gap for persons with disabilities compared to those without disabilities is 40 plus percentage points. This can and must improve.
First, when more people with disabilities adopt employment as a goal, then both they and their families can overcome a fear of failure and a willingness to accept the challenge of obtaining a better life by becoming employed and not being fully dependent on public assistance programs.
Secondly, employers can be encouraged to embrace a culture that includes more people of wide-ranging abilities in all types of employment. This includes being willing to take a chance when a new applicant has a disability or an existing employee acquires one. It involves accepting the responsibility of becoming engaged in the interactive process of finding an accommodation that works. As consumers, we can also be appreciative that places we shop are willing to take these chances and we can demonstrate that this is good for us as customers, for the work force, and for our society.
An example of employers taking the lead in this area is the recent formation of the Arkansas Business Leadership Network. This group formed to share best practices among themselves and with others that lead to successful recruitment and retention of employees with a wide range of abilities. This type of engagement will contribute to significant progress in reducing the number of individuals with disabilities who are unemployed, and will also bring incredible value to the work force of our state.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, a Division of the Arkansas Department of Career Education, is the state vocational rehabilitation agency. Our focus is meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities as customers, responding to the needs of businesses, improving public agency collaboration, collaborating with community partners, and informing and shaping federal-state policy and practice.
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Alan McClain is commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Career Education.
Editorial on 10/01/2018