Disabled People In America
Employment and Treatment of Disabled People in America
“Of course, she didn’t believe me. It was like I didn’t speak at all,” Tenney, who is hard of hearing is just another person who has gone through a series of professionals through her life and had received less than adequate care. On her post about how “experts” treated her and others she say people will say, “Well, I worked with disabled people all my life, I know better what they need than disabled people themselves!” and generally treat disabled people as less than human. She says that the professionals she had dealt with don’t ask for her opinions or how to help. She asks professionals, “When was the last time you read a book about disability written by someone who was disabled? When was your last lecture given by someone with personal experience?” It is a disturbing thing that most disabled individuals no longer trust the people they are supposed to confide in. …show more content…
Tenny is not the only one in America facing a disability who has had to feel this way.
Jordan Gallacher, a computer expert, has not been able to get a job in three years. He says that most employers will reject him by sending an email or a form letter; however, one just outright said, “We don’t hire blind people.” Gallacher is able to use a computer with confidence when using his screen reader, yet employers treat him as though he can’t. People like to think that the only places that discriminate against minorities are third world countries but the problem is everywhere, including America. Tenney and Gallacher are not even close the only people that feel this way. In 1990, around half of disabled Americans were employed; however, this number has fallen to 41% in 2015. When disabled people are able to acquire a job, they are statistically earning less annually which disabled people earning $23,532 and non-disabled people earning
$32,688. It’s not all negative. Many big companies such as Walmart and Google are starting to try that much harder to include disabled people. Charles Rogers had his hands and legs below the knee amputated following the horrible disease and struggled to find employment. He says that he went to many interviews and never heard anything back; however, he says that Walmart gave him a chance. Walmart, one of the leading employers of disabled people, offer training and resource groups for them. It is important to normalize working disabled people, to treat them like anyone else, and to still accommodate from their needs.
“Of course, she didn’t believe me. It was like I didn’t speak at all,” Tenney, who is hard of hearing is just another person who has gone through a series of professionals through her life and had received less than adequate care. On her post about how “experts” treated her and others she say people will say, “Well, I worked with disabled people all my life, I know better what they need than disabled people themselves!” and generally treat disabled people as less than human. She says that the professionals she had dealt with don’t ask for her opinions or how to help. She asks professionals, “When was the last time you read a book about disability written by someone who was disabled? When was your last lecture given by someone with personal experience?” It is a disturbing thing that most disabled individuals no longer trust the people they are supposed to confide in. …show more content…
Tenny is not the only one in America facing a disability who has had to feel this way.
Jordan Gallacher, a computer expert, has not been able to get a job in three years. He says that most employers will reject him by sending an email or a form letter; however, one just outright said, “We don’t hire blind people.” Gallacher is able to use a computer with confidence when using his screen reader, yet employers treat him as though he can’t. People like to think that the only places that discriminate against minorities are third world countries but the problem is everywhere, including America. Tenney and Gallacher are not even close the only people that feel this way. In 1990, around half of disabled Americans were employed; however, this number has fallen to 41% in 2015. When disabled people are able to acquire a job, they are statistically earning less annually which disabled people earning $23,532 and non-disabled people earning
$32,688. It’s not all negative. Many big companies such as Walmart and Google are starting to try that much harder to include disabled people. Charles Rogers had his hands and legs below the knee amputated following the horrible disease and struggled to find employment. He says that he went to many interviews and never heard anything back; however, he says that Walmart gave him a chance. Walmart, one of the leading employers of disabled people, offer training and resource groups for them. It is important to normalize working disabled people, to treat them like anyone else, and to still accommodate from their needs.