Hire Equitably: Workplace Accountability & Protection for People with Disabilities

Workplaces must do more to make employment accessible and accommodate for necessary resources that our community of people with disabilities needs to thrive in their jobs. 

Problem

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission outlaws discrimination in the workplace and aims to protect the employment rights of people with disabilities. Yet, people with disabilities are still one of the most underrepresented groups in the American workplace. 

Our Plan

• Support inclusive work spaces by encouraging companies to actively recruit people with disabilities, and to make job applications more accessible.

  • Enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), by holding regular audits of organizations to ensure compliance.

    • Expand the ADA beyond the court system.

  • Require the SSA to update the official list of available jobs in the national economy at least every three years. 

  • Increase funding for Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR).

  • Invest in job application skills trainings and workshops that are centered around people with disabilities.

  • Encourage organizations to make their websites and job postings accessible through tools such as screen reader adaptability, contrasting colors, alternative text for images or captions to enhance the usability of the site. 

  • Pass bill H.R. 3373, which would create an Office of International Disability Rights within the State Department to employ people with disabilities at the State department and be able to represent the USA abroad.

• Raise awareness about invisible disabilities.

  • Pass legislation for voluntary disability designation on the license or other ID documents, such as the law passed by Alaska in 2017.

  • Partner with nonprofits organizations such as the Invisible Disabilities Association and the Invisible Disability Project to build an informed and mutually supportive community.

  • Call out ableism in the workplace and ensure there are clear channels for reporting misconduct.

This Matters

Only 29% of people with disabilities are employed, and this number has not changed since the ADA has been formed. Companies need to be held responsible for providing accommodations, an equitable work environment, and training or recruitment opportunities for their employees.