disability awareness training

A nonprofit serving people with disabilities | www.lifeworks.org 1

Steve Huisken

Employment Consultant

[email protected]

Disability Awareness Training:Think Ability


Changing Our Attitude

The greatest barrier facing workers with disabilities is our attitude.


What is a disability?

• Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

• Person has record of impairment or is regarded as having an impairment.

• Mitigating measures are taken into account.


Visible and Invisible Disabilities

• Sometimes visible.

• Many times not obvious.

• Some persons have multiple disabilities.

• Often undisclosed.

• Always changing.


Invisible Disorder

According to the National Institute of Mental Health:

• 1 in 5 Americans have some form of mental health disorder.

• 1 in 4 families are affected by a mental health disorder.


Chronic and Changing Conditions

• Asthma• Arthritis• Diabetes• Cancer • Mental health

disorder• Hearing loss or

deafness• Multiple Sclerosis

• Epilepsy• AIDS• Heart disease• Chronic Fatigue

Syndrome• Attention disorders

(ADD & ADHD)


Demographics

People with disabilities are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the US.


Proportional Growth

Steadily growing in proportion to the US general population

050

100150200250300350

Million

1994 2010

Disabilities Population


Top Ten Chronic ConditionsTop ten chronic conditions that cause activity limitations:

Chronic conditionNumber of conditionscausing limitations

Heart disease 7,932,000

Back problems 7,672,000

Arthritis 5,721,000

Asthma 2,592,000

Diabetes 2,569,000

Mental disorders 2,035,000

Disorders of the eye 1,577,000

Learning disabilities andMental retardation

1,575,000

Cancer 1,342,000

Visual impairments 1,294,000


Top Ten Most Frequently Limiting ConditionsChronic condition

% of conditions causing major limitations

Mental retardation 87.5%

Multiple sclerosis 69.4%

Malignant neoplasm of stomach, intestine, colon, and rectum

62.1%

Paralysis of extremities, complete or partial 60.7%

Malignant neoplasm of lung, bronchus, and other respiratory sites

60.6%

Blindness, both eyes 60.3%

Other deformity or orthopedic impairment 54.4%

Paralysis of other sites, complete or partial 48.0%

Other diseases of the heart, excluding hypertension 47.8%

Epilepsy 44.4%


Age & Disabilities

How do the levels of disabilities change with age?

Disability increases in severity with age.

Source: McNeil, 1993; Survey: SIPP, 1992


Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD ) in the USADHD is a neurobehavioral

disorder characterized by

pervasive inattention and/or

hyperactivity-impulsivity and

resulting in significant functional

impairment.

CDC estimates 4.4 million youth

ages 4-17 have been diagnosed

with ADHD by a healthcare

professional, and as of 2003, 2.5

million youth ages 4-17 are

currently receiving medication

treatment for the disorder. In

2003 7.8% of school-aged

children were reported to have

an ADHD diagnosis by their

parent.

Report on the “Prevalence of Diagnosed and Medicated Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: United States, 2003”

Prevalence Data of Pare

nt Reported

ADHD Diagnosis, 2003

Prevalence Data of Pare

nt-Reported

Medication Treatment fo

r ADHD, 2003


Mental Disorders in the USHow many people have a mental disorder?

Source: Bourdon, et al, 1994; National Advisory Mental Health Council, 1993; Barker, et al, 1992; Survey: ECA, 1980-1985; NHIS 1989


Accommodations

Sensitivity toward people with disabilities makes good business sense.


Americans with Disabilities Act

The 1991 ADA addresses work issues for people with disabilities:

• Equal rights for applicants.• Equal rights for employees.


Employment Myths

• Greater absenteeism

• Increased safety risks

• Worker benefits are more costly

• Accommodations are expensive

www.usbln.org/tools/DispellingMyths.pdf


Reasonable Accommodation

No specific definition in ADA, but examples are given:• Job restructuring.• Part-time or modified work.• Reassignment to vacant position.• Acquisition or modification of equipment or devices.• Adjustment or modification of examinations, training

materials, or policies.


Accommodation Costs

• 66% of time the cost $0 - $500

• Average accommodation is $200

• Grants or credits to employers are available in some situations

$0 $1 - $500 $501 - $1000 Over $1000

15%

22%12%

51%


Accommodations Benefit Everyone

• Work Stations: wrist rests, ergonomic chairs, foot rests

• Electric Door Openers: handy when carrying large items or using strollers

• Visual Cues: color coding, labels, filing• Re-organization: applying lean processes

to reduce movements, arrange materials for easy use


Working and Living Together

Remember that we all have handicaps; in some of us they show more than in others.


Functional LimitationsA quarter of the population over 15 years old has some functional limitation, and nearly one-third of them has a severe functional limitation. •Mobility•Self-Direction•Self-Care•Interpersonal Skills•Communication•Work Tolerance•Work Skills


ThinkABILITY

Focus on:• Qualifications of the applicant.• Essential job functions.


Sensitivity Tips – Say This:• Person with a disability

… NOT disabled• Has a disability

… NOT a victim of, suffers from, afflicted with, or crippled by

• Has a cognitive or developmental disability … NOT slow or retarded

• Has a mental illness … NOT crazy or insane

• Uses a wheelchair … NOT wheelchair bound

• Limited skills … NOT low functioning


Points to Remember

• Person First Language• See the person, not the label• Every person is different• Focus on abilities, not disabilities• Ask first, offer assistance only if warranted

and wanted• Treat someone with a disability the way that

person wants to be treated• Use common sense and the managing skills

you already have


Considering the Future• In 2010 the US Department of Labor projects a worker

shortage of 10 million.

• There are approximately 9 million unemployed people with disabilities.

• Largest and fastest growing minority group with an annual spending power of $220 billion.

• Employing 1 million more people with disabilities would:– Reduce US annual Social Security payments by $1.8 billion.– Cut Federal Food Stamps spending by $286 million.

disability awareness training

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