 | Washington State |  |
|
| ||
Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions About Hiring People with Disabilities
Myths are roadblocks that interfere with the ability of persons who are blind or visually impaired to have equality in employment. These roadblocks usually result from a lack of experience and interaction with persons with visual disabilities. This lack of familiarity has nourished negative attitudes concerning employment of persons with visual disabilities. Listed below are some common myths and the facts* that tell the real story.
Myth:Hiring people with disabilities is a bad employment risk because they are unable to meet performance standards and are more likely to have accidents on the job than employees without disabilities. |
Fact:In 1990, DuPont conducted a survey of 811 employees with disabilities and found 90% rated average or better in job performance compared to 95% for employees without disabilities. The study found that the safety records of both groups were identical. |
Myth:Hiring employees with disabilities increases workers compensation insurance rates. |
Fact:Insurance rates are based solely on the relative hazards of the operation and the organization’s accident experience, not on whether workers have disabilities. |
Myth:Employees with disabilities have a higher absentee rate than employees without disabilities. |
Fact:Studies by firms such as DuPont show that employees with disabilities are not absent any more than employees without disabilities. |
Myth:Employers should assume that getting to work will be particularly difficult for employees with disabilities. Employers must provide transportation services to and from work for employees with disabilities. |
Fact:Persons with disabilities are capable of supplying their own transportation by choosing to walk, use a car pool, drive, take public transportation, or take a cab. Their modes of transportation to work are as varied as those of other employees. |
Myth:Persons with disabilities are inspirational, courageous, and brave for being able to overcome their disability. |
Fact:Persons with disabilities are simply carrying on normal activities of living when they drive to work, go grocery shopping, pay their bills, or compete in athletic events. |
Myth:Persons with disabilities need to be protected from failing. Thus, their employers should reduce their job duties and responsibilities, and lower work expectations. |
Fact:Persons with disabilities have a right to participate in the full range of human experiences including success and failure. Employers should have the same expectations of, and work requirements for, all employees. |
Myth:Special accommodations are required to hire and retain workers who have disabilities. Such accommodations are expensive. |
Fact:Most workers with disabilities require no special accommodations, and the cost for those who do is minimal or much lower than many employers believe. Studies by the President’s Committee’s Job Accommodation Network have shown that 15% of accommodations cost nothing, 51% cost between $1 and $500, 12% cost between $501 and $1,000, and 22% cost more than $1,000. |