Jobs for the Disabled
In a tough economy, jobs can be especially scarce for the disabled. Still, a lack of opportunity shouldn't keep a disabled individual from working and contributing. There are many opportunities for job placement through government programs. In addition, many more opportunities exist for the disabled to work from home or through employer accommodations, allowing a measure of independence despite mobility issues as well as other distinct challenges.
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Government Programs
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Federal and state programs exist to provide the disabled with gainful employment. Rather than simply offering a handout in the form of disability benefits, government programs offer a range of options to disabled individuals. For example, many offer mentoring services both to those who require vocational rehabilitation after the sudden onset of a disability and to those who have not had a chance to work before. For example, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offers everything from seminars on the myths that hinder the disabled in the workforce to education on equal opportunity legislation.
Working from Home
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Many agencies exist to place the disabled in jobs that cater to each individual's particular needs. In many cases, these jobs allow disabled individuals to work from home. For instance, an individual confined to a wheelchair may still be able to work in copy editing or transcription, providing they have access to a computer. Those with an even more diminished motor capacity may still have the ability to work in telemarketing and sales. The same goes for those with mental impairments.
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Employment Accommodations
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Within reason, any job can be within the grasp of a disabled individual. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 allows for accommodations for any disabled person in a professional environment, providing that the accommodations do not place "undue hardship" on the business in question. This can include specialized training, wheelchair accessibility, the implementation of specialized equipment or many other possibilities. Mandatory skills testing for jobs is likewise controlled under the ADA act, so that those with hearing or vision impairment are not discriminated against.
Further ADA Provisions
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In addition to protecting those with disabilities in the workplace, the Americans with Disabilities Act protects those who are predisposed to disabilities -- like cancer or autoimmune diseases -- as well as those who suffer from recurring disabilities. The law also protects those with "transitory" disabilities that might be affecting an individual at the time of employment but are unlikely to effect the individual in the future. Thus, the definition of disability prevents employers from lumping all individuals with special needs into a single category.
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References
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