When the Americans Disability Act first came out, I soon realized that it not only opened doors for the disabled, but opened doors for employers as well.
The bill simply tells employers not to discriminate against someone who has a disability, and to make reasonable changes to a disabled persons work space to enable them to do a job. The disabled person must still be able to do the job. An employer is not expected to hire someone because they are disabled who can not perform the job duties they are looking to fill.
There are many organizations that help the disabled find jobs, and they are usually willing to do the modifications necessary to enable that employee to work at a specific location. I am unsure if the tax credit is still currently available, but at one point an employer could take a tax credit for half of all the wages paid to a new disabled employee for the first two years, as long as they get a certificate from one of the organizations that help the disabled . It must also be signed before the disabled employee begins work.
Employers who are looking for hard working loyal employees need to tap into the field of disabled workers. The word disabled does not by any stretch of the imagination mean unable. Thousands of people have hidden disabilities that come to light after being hired, but thousands more have noticeable disabilities such as being in a wheelchair. The ones with noticeable disabilities are tired of being looked at as if they are incapable of doing what is required of them. If they get a job with a good employer they are most likely to become one of your most loyal and valuable employees. It is amazing what they can accomplish with just some small modifications made to their workspace.
If you are one of the millions of currently unemployed and have a disability I urge you to get in touch with your local Vocational Rehabilitation Center and let them help you find a job that is perfect for you. Each individual will be evaluated and given the resources they are needed to ensure they remain employable. It may be a class, a college degree or a simple referral to an employer, but they can get you where you need to go vocationally. If you believe in yourself you can create miracles!

