Barriers to Employment for Adults with Disabilities
Barriers to Employment for Adults with Disabilities
Just about everyone will face difficulties or challenges at some point in their lives. However, persons with disabilities are more impacted by personal and environmental barriers. Whether you are a person with a disability looking to get a job, have a loved one in this position, or are wondering if you have a disability, this article can help you get clarity on the rights of disabled persons in the workplace. Obstacles to employment can range from physical to social. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines employment barriers as “factors that limit functioning through their presence or absence.” They can include:- A physical environment that is inaccessible or hard to navigate
- Lack of assistive tools or technologies to help the person be effective
- Negative attitudes within the work environment
- A lack of relevant systems, services, and policies
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers can take the form of structural issues in the environment that impede functioning; for example, the lack of a wheelchair ramp or elevator, or not providing modified equipment that allows the disabled person to perform in the position. For example, if a person has severe dyslexia or visual impairments, they need to be provided with a computer that is capable of reading the screen to them.Attitudes and Stereotyping
Judgments and assumptions about disabled persons can also prevent them from getting hired or having a positive experience in the workplace. These attitudes can lead to prejudice, stigma, and discrimination. While this is becoming less of an issue than it once was, it can still be a factor and a barrier to both getting a job and keeping a job. For example, a person may be denied resources because their employer does not believe that they have a learning disability, Autism or other types of “invisible” disabilities. This is illegal.Barriers to Communication
Communication obstacles can create an inability to effectively speak, write, read or otherwise understand what is required to be effective in a job. Some examples would be:- Inability to use a phone due to a hearing issue
- Lack of Braille printed items for blind persons
- Language that is too technical for persons with cognitive impairments