Disabled People Face Employment Barriers

Study results from the University of New Hampshire concluded that people with disabilities, such as arthritis, who are trying to find work in the hospitality industry are at a disadvantage. People with disabilities find that many employers have preconceived notions about their inability to do the job and the fact that they cost more to employ.

Researchers analyzed data from 320 hospitality companies in the U.S. They found prejudice, sterotyping, and limited employment options for people with disabilities. The primary concern cited by employers was that disabled people could not do the job effectively despite workplace accommondations and employers were concerned about the cost of necessary accommodations. Other barriers to hiring disabled people involved the cost of workers' compensation, the attitude of co-workers, and a general unawareness of the realities of disability.

Disability awareness training in the workplace could help employers and employees overcome their misconceptions about people with disabilities. It's inappropriate to generalize and label all disabled people as incompetent, non-productive, and accident-prone -- basically, as a liability. But, what would make employers want to work on disability awareness in their companies?

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• Can I Continue to Work?
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• More About Work and Disability

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