According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the global employment rate for people with disabilities is 24.5% lower than for non-disabled people. The employment rate for Americans with disabilities is 46.4% lower than for non-disabled people. These statistics represent what is called the disability employment gap. The big question is whether or not we can close the gap.
What is the Disability Employment Gap?
A billion people are living with disabilities worldwide (millions in the United States). About 15% of the world's population suffers from a disability. Unfortunately, many people living with disabilities experience workplace discrimination that can start before they're even hired. Many people with disabilities are dismissed because of their disability during job interviews, even though they are fully capable of completing the necessary job duties. Disability discrimination during the hiring process and in workplaces across the nation created an employment gap between those living with disabilities and those not living with disabilities - the disability employment gap.
The U.S. has One of the Worst Disability Employment Gaps in the World:
United States, Peru, and Russia have the worst disability employment gaps in the world. The U.S. Census data for 2010 reported that only 41.1% of Americans with disabilities were employed. Some disabilities may make working difficult or impossible, but many do not cause difficulty or can be accommodated in the workplace.
Federal and State Laws Protect Job Seekers with Disabilities Against Discrimination
To stop the disability employment gap, employees and prospective employees need to be aware of their rights and protections provided by state and federal employment law. Californians with disabilities have protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). For example, when an employer denies an applicant a job based on their disability rather than their qualifications, they are discriminating based on disability, which is prohibited by law.
If you are seeking a job in California and experiencing disability discrimination, contact Moss Bollinger, Sherman Oaks, California employment law attorney. He's dedicated to protecting and
asserting the rights of his clients. Call 866-942-7974 today for a free consultation, or contact us online.