Disability Awareness

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Job Placement staff can help educate both consumers and employers on disability awareness issues.

As job applicants, individuals with disabilities must be prepared to talk about disability-related job issues with employers.  Individuals who are seeking employment or are new to the workforce should become familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  This is a federal civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination and enable individuals with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of society.  One fundamental principle of the Americans with Disabilities Act is that individuals with disabilities who want to work and are qualified to work must have an equal opportunity to work. 

Employers have a responsibility to understand how attitudes and biases on disabilities can impact their customer service and hiring practices.  They need to learn how to have an effective dialogue with their employees on accommodations as well as how to access resources to meet those needs.  Employers need to learn how to interview applicants who have disabilities and how to get the information they need without asking inappropriate questions.  When hiring, it is important to know what the key job tasks are in any position within the company.