Equal Rights for Disabled Employees

With an unwanted surge in discrimination with respect to career opportunities, the federal as well as state governments are taking proactive measures by passing laws that ensure equal rights for disabled job seekers and employees.

With an aim to increase the number of disability jobs in the market to boost citizen morals, facilitate independence and quality of life, the Employment Law has prohibited a few forms of discrimination.

Government Initiatives

Under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Law, the government has made an effective effort to protect employees from any discrimination for age, gender, race, religion, nationality, and also disability.

Additionally, there is also a federal law on discrimination in disability – the Americans with Disability Act, which is also commonly known as ADA. In states like California, disability jobs are boosted through the passing of laws such as the ‘Fair Employment and Housing Act’ which is known to have far less restrictive definition of ‘disability’ when compared to its federal counterpart.

Within the state of California, employees with less restrictive disabilities can be easily covered under the law.

Why Do We Need Disability Employment Laws?

With the existence of disability employment laws, governments are able to ensure a certain financial independence to its less fortunate citizens. With laws that mandate organizations to hire a certain percentage of disabled yet competent employees, by providing parallel benefits such as tax breaks, etc., governments are finding ways to encourage businesses to support the disabled in a respectable manner.

From the perspective of the job seeker, the disability laws provide them an opportunity to enjoy equal rights at a work place through the hiring process as well as while they pursue their respective jobs. These laws help make sure that businesses offer sufficiently comfortable working conditions specific to the needs to the disability so that the employee is able to contribute productively as any other employee of the business.

Governments has made it illegal to practice job discrimination against people with disabilities among private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor organizations, and labor management committees.

With the existence of such laws, the United States has been working to offer some dignity to its citizen’s one job at a time.

Best Jobs for the Disabled

The best jobs for those who are disabled depends on what their individual capabilities are. For example, if the disability involves not being able to stand or lift objects, a job that involves sitting down may be more ideal.

Every disability is different. Partial blindness may require accommodations but does not completely limit them to what they can do. Disabling injuries may be located on the arms or legs or torso. As with any disability, each person should be evaluated to determine individual strengths.

Diseases can be considered a disability. Joint problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or diseases such as multiple sclerosis will all require different accommodations.

If the disabled person cannot leave the house, either permanently or temporarily, an online job may be ideal. This way the worker can perform his job within the comfort of his home while having access to care and accommodations needed to perform the job. Many companies will provide you with the tools you need to achieve this.

Jobs that aren't physically demanding may be best-suited for those with disabilities. Disability jobs include opportunities in the legal industry, jobs in IT, such as computer programmers, design careers, HR, management, or administrative positions.

Healthcare careers can be physically demanding, unless they are administrative positions. Medical billing and coding are excellent opportunities that are in high demand and can be performed with little to no physical exertion.

Other jobs that are ideal for people with disabilities include teaching, customer service reps, graphic artists, accountants, counselors, therapists, or freelancers.

According to SteadyHealth.com, there are currently 51.2 million people living with some form of disability in the U.S.  Approximately 18% of the American population has a disability, with 27 million people needing to use a wheelchair and 9.1 million needed an ambulatory aid.  There are 1.8 million people in the country who are unable to see, 1 million adults who are not able to hear, and 2.6 million who experience speech impairment or difficulty and 14.3 million with cognitive limitations or some form of mental or emotional illness that interferes with daily life.

All types of disabilities are present in America. But that does not mean these talented people have let that get in their way. Over half the disabled population, or 56%, are employed. Almost half of people with a non-severe disability are working full-time.

More and more businesses are creating programs and tools that can assist a disabled person to perform their work.

For those that are visually impaired or blind, there are a variety of jobs that can be ideal. These include teachers, counselors, therapists, jobs in retail, cashiers, secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, customer service rep, rehab specialist, HR manager, actor, and commercial or radio announcer.

According to a 2002 Household Economic Study approximately 55% of adults aged 21-64 years of age with vision difficulty were employed.  The employment statistics surrounding those with legal blindness report that approximately 19% of people over the age of 18 were employed full time.