Power Grid Blog
Disability Matters: Joyce Bender with Pat Shiu on Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act
February 10, 2012 | AAPD Power Grid Blog Team
by Jenna Lenskold, AAPD Communications Intern
On February 7, 2012 Joyce Bender hosted her radio show Disability Matters with special guest Pat Shiu, the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) for the United States Department of Labor. The discussion focused on Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, a proposed rule to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This crucial piece of legislation could have major effects on the disability community and everyone is encouraged to take action over the next two weeks and send in their comments.
Since the American with Disabilities Act was signed in 1990, there has been no significant change when it comes to employment of Americans with disabilities. The unemployment rate of Americans with disabilities is twice that for people without disabilities. In addition, many Americans with disabilities are not even looking for jobs, so this percentage could be much larger. Section 503 is providing the chance to change this statistic for good.
Section 503 aims to make companies create hiring and utility goals to really urge them to make an effort in hiring people with disabilities. If companies make it a priority to hire and include people with disabilities, then they will be setting the example of offering a welcoming workplace for all people. Workplaces also need to be able to provide accommodation for those with disabilities or at least a time frame of when those accommodations will be available. While some may argue that putting in an elevator or getting new equipment is not in the budget, Joyce argued back saying “this is just something you have to do. You have to provide accommodations.”
Companies have some big obstacles that lie ahead, but it is nothing that cannot be done. All companies need to do it want to hire people with disabilities and they will see that it can be done. Once making an effort to hire people with disabilities, companies will realize that they will be more successful if access and inclusion are major goals for their future.
To hear this Disability Matters episode click here.
Disability Matters with Joyce Bender airs every Tuesday at 2pm EST.
