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Print Email http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/reflecting-on-national-disability-awareness-month/article_ce52517c-42f8-11e3-83ac-0019bb2963f4.html Employing people with disabilities first entered the national conscience during World War II. With the labor shortages that resulted from the war, people with disabilities were a viable option for the national workforce as they helped meet the demands of production lines. Post-war, many men returning from service had physical disabilities that prevented them from resuming their former civilian life. With the exemplary service many men and women with disabilities brought to the workforce during and after the war, employment for people with disabilities was in the national spotlight. It was at this point that our nation realized persons with disabilities are more than capable; they are valuable assets to the employment world. Thus, in 1945 President Harry S. Truman signed Proclamation 2664 – National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1988, President Ronald Regan issued Executive Order 12640, which expanded the awareness event from a week to the month. This commemoration has since been known as “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” Employment is a symbol of our worth and status in this country. When we meet someone new for the first time, we typically ask: “What do you do for a living?” Employment is also the gateway to true independence. Many people overlook the fact that people with disabilities want the same self-sufficiency as their non-disabled peers. A common belief among those without disabilities is that there are countless resources for the disabled community to tap into, and those resources will bring a prosperous life without working. The Social Security Administration website shows that individuals with disabilities on average receive about $982.52 per month in benefits. This monthly stipend puts these people below the poverty line, according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Those who cannot find work not only face financial hardship, they can often become isolated and struggle to find purpose and a sense of community. We, as a society, pay a high price when we don’t hire people with disabilities. Qualified applicants with disabilities often face obstacles gaining employment due to common misconceptions and fear from their potential employers. However, when a business hires a qualified applicant with a disability, often only a few adjustments (reasonable accommodations) might be needed to ensure employee success. In a study conducted by the Job Accommodation Network, many employers have found that the investment in accommodating qualified employees with disabilities returns higher productivity. With these thoughts in mind, I encourage all businesses to hire people with disabilities. It goes beyond doing the “right thing.” It makes good business sense. For questions regarding the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact the Rocky Mountain ADA Center at adainfo@adainformation.org or 800-949-4232. The Rocky Mountain ADA Center is a valuable resource for local government, businesses and community members as they seek ways to accommodate people with disabilities. We are operated by Meeting the Challenge, Inc. and provide information, materials and training to individuals and organizations with rights and responsibilities under the ADA. We serve a six-state region including Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. To learn more, visit adainformation.org. To contact the Rocky Mountain ADA Center directly, email adainfo@adainformation.org or call (800) 949-4232. Candice Adler is director of training and technical assistance for the Rocky Mountain ADA Center.