ERIC Number: ED478950
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 4
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Employment of People with Disabilities. ERIC Digest.
Wonacott, Michael E.
With its definitions of individuals' and employers' rights and obligations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a mandate and a statement of our moral and ethical values as a culture. Persons with disabilities and employers must apply ADA's "triple standard" of reasonable accommodations for performing essential job functions without undue hardship to find individuals that match jobs and jobs that match individuals. Ten years after ADA's passage, workers with disabilities are older, work fewer hours, and are more likely to be single and less likely to have a college degree. They are still disproportionately represented in low-growth, low-wage occupations. Under ADA, the individual has the right to choose when or whether to disclose his or her disability or related information, but employers cannot be expected to provide reasonable accommodation for an undisclosed disability. Job seekers are advised to script and rehearse disclosure, minimizing medical terms, omitting medical treatment history, and describing the disability briefly with stress on strengths and willingness to improve and ability to perform with or without accommodations. Reasonable accommodations range from simple to complex and cheap to expensive; information on them is available from many sources, including websites. Strengthened mechanisms are needed to help workers with disabilities and employers find appropriate matches between jobs and skills. (Contains 14 references.) (YLB)
Descriptors: Accessibility (for Disabled), Adult Education, Adults, Affirmative Action, Assistive Technology, Disabilities, Disability Discrimination, Employment Patterns, Employment Practices, Equal Opportunities (Jobs), Federal Legislation, Job Applicants, Job Search Methods, Labor Legislation, Personnel Policy, Personnel Selection, Physical Mobility, Salary Wage Differentials, Self Disclosure (Individuals)
For full text: http://www.ericacve.org/pubs.asp.
Publication Type: ERIC Publications; ERIC Digests in Full Text
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, Columbus, OH.
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Americans with Disabilities Act 1990
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A