Disability discrimination is a severe problem, which not only affects people with disabilities but also leaves them at a significant economic disadvantage. While the COVID-19 health crisis and subsequent recession exacerbated already-existing disparities between disabled and non-disabled people, data from 2021 and 2023 illustrate that these gaps persist even after the economy rebounds. Moreover, such gaps highlight the need for greater focus on reducing disability discrimination in employment across all sectors.
Disability laws require employers in the private, federal, state and local government sectors to provide reasonable accommodations (changes to ways things are usually done) for employees and job applicants with disabilities unless doing so would pose an undue burden on the company. Such accommodations can include making a building wheelchair accessible or providing reading materials in Braille, among other things. Unfortunately, some employers still treat these accommodations as a privilege and refuse to offer them to employees with disabilities. This reluctance is illegal and constitutes disability discrimination.
Another common source of disability discrimination in the workplace is failing to adequately train employees on how to manage employees with disabilities. This is a violation of federal and state disability laws and should be taken seriously by employers. Other forms of disability discrimination in the workplace include not giving jobs to disabled people, refusing to provide needed accommodations, and limiting the number of hours that a person with a disability can work. The latter can be a particularly serious issue, as it leads to the denial of basic income needs. In fact, a person who is limited to working part time due to income limits can end up losing a significant amount of money if he or she does not find a job and earn more than the minimum wage.
Disabled people who are members of other marginalized groups, such as those from communities of color or the LGBTQI+ community, tend to face even more barriers to finding employment. This is often due to intersecting and compounding systems of oppression that make it harder to find jobs and get them.
The unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic disabled people are higher than those of their nondisabled counterparts. This is likely due to the intersection of discrimination against these groups with ableism, racism and other forms of prejudice.
These statistics highlight the need to improve employment outcomes for disabled people in order to build a stronger and more inclusive economy. If you are a disabled worker who has been discriminated against in the workforce, contact a Boise disability law today to discuss how we can help you seek justice. You may be able to file a claim with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or, if you live in New York City or New York State, under one of these state’s human rights laws (NYSHRL or NYCHRL). Each case is different, so we will evaluate your situation and determine which route to pursue. We are committed to fighting for every client.
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