With the unemployment rate growing, the disabled community is experiencing ever-growing discrimination in the workforce. Only 20% of disabled individuals are active participants in the labor force, which is drastically lower than the 70% of non-disabled Americans who hold some type of employment. While the Americans with Disabilities Act has improved employment outcomes, significant change must still come.

Recent data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission finds growth in the number of complaints filed by individuals with disabilities, with most stemming from wrongful termination, failure to make reasonable accommodation, and denial of employment. More specifically, in 2008 the EEOC received 19,453 charges of discrimination based on disability, up nearly 4,000 from the previous year. I’m sure it’s no surprise to hear that a greater number of disabled individuals are now filing complaints with the EEOC, but why is discrimination increasing at such a fast rate?

This question will probably never be answered. However, much of the research done in this area suggests that ignorance and attitudes play a major role. Based on personal experience, this seems like a ridiculously obvious conclusion. For example, some employers automatically think that impairments will affect productivity and therefore the costs outweigh any benefits of hiring people with disabilities. In contrast, the U.S. Department of Education found that workers with disabilities are rated consistently as average or above average in performance, quality and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance. Moreover, false perceptions exist with regard to reasonable accommodations in the workplace. While some employers believe accommodations have high costs, most impose little to no cost at all. According to the Job Accommodation Network, more than half of accommodations had costs less than $500.With that said, many employers are failing to utilize a highly valuable and prolific source of labor, simply because of stereotypical beliefs and idiocy.

On a lighter note, there are employers who desire employees with disabilities and realize the benefits of having a diverse workforce. Several websites have been created to assist employers in recruiting disabled workers and to guide those seeking employment. The websites allow employers to post job openings and search for potential applicants. As a job-seeker you can post your resume` and search job postings at no cost. If you or someone you know is in need of work then check out these websites and start the unemployment rate in a new direction!

Websites:

http://www.abilityjobs.com/
This website provides employers with a place to post job openings for all people with disabilities. It’s run by Ability Magazine and provides a free job searching tool for anyone with a disability. The site allows people with disabilities to post a resume` and look for positions matching their areas of knowledge and skill.

http://www.nbdc.com/index.aspx
Offers a national database of resumes` designed specifically for corporate recruiters. Only those with college degrees or expected college degrees are allowed to post a resume` and all work experience and/or credentials are verified by NBDC prior to publication. It has a record of success and has won many awards since establishment by the National Business and Disability Council 30 years ago.

http://www.disabledperson.com/signup
This website allows employers to post vacant jobs and review the resumes` of people with disabilities. All aspects of the website are free, including those services for job seekers and employers (supported by corporate and individual sponsorship). It is run by Diana Corso, Executive Director of Disabledperson, Inc.

https://wrp.gov/LoginPre.do?method=login
This website is a tool for federal employers to recruit and refer highly motivated postsecondary students and recent college graduates with disabilities. A federal employer may post summer or full time permanent positions. The WRP was created through sponsorship from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Disability Employment Policy Office of the U.S. Department of Labor.

http://www.gettinghired.com/
Website utilizes Right Match technology to connect applicant qualifications with specific position requirements to facilitate employment success. The website also provides access to a service provider network for accommodation solutions.

http://www.hireds.com/career.php
This is a website where employers can recruit all qualified individuals with disabilities by posting job vacancies. With the help of Monster, employers can indicate desirable qualifications making it easier to sort and rank potential applicants.

http://www.abilitylinks.org/employers/forms.aspx?pageid=508
This source offers a resume` database of all people with disabilities and allows employers to post job openings, free of charge. Ability Links was created by Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and the Ability Links Consortium.

http://www.onemoreway.org/
An innovative employment collaborative helping to match diverse candidates with disabilities, including veterans, to over one million businesses, agencies, and service providers. One More Way invites all corporations and businesses both large and small to become hiring members to help drive up employment for persons with disabilities across America.