Commentary:
PWD Unemployment Demands Action
By John M. Williams
Where are the jobs for people with disabilities (PWD) in
the public and private sectors of this economy?
Over and over, PWDs tell me, “I need a job.”
They plead and shout, “Help me.” They are frustrated and angry and
ask, “Who is considering us?”
One irate formerly employed computer engineer told me:
“I have a wife, children and a family. Why can't employers see that? Are
they as blind as I am?”
Weekly, I hear from people with disabilities about their
need to be employed. Their former professions include teaching, nursing,
medical research, computer programming, machinist, automobile mechanic,
administrator, writing, management, sales, marketing, accounting, laboratory
assistant, human resources and rehabilitation.
More women are contacting me, though the men, generally,
are angrier and frequently curse. In general, the men phone me; nearly all the
women send e-mails. Nobody faxes me.
A typical e-mail reads:
Dear Mr. Williams,
I have been unemployed for more than a year. I have
taken many interviews. Most of the time, I have interviewed for jobs that I am
overly qualified for. Each rejection gives me less hope that I will ever return
to the job market. I am very depressed.
I am attaching my resume to this e-mail. Can you help
me find a job?
Yours,
Nancy Smith
In my follow-up, I often learn the person's disability and
discover that most of those who contact me believe their disability is a factor
in their continuing unemployment. Many people believe that the lack of
enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by the Obama
administration is a contributing factor to their unemployment. I have not heard
that the Obama administration is not enforcing the ADA. If PWDs believe that
enforcement is not occurring, they should engage in street protests, send
letters and e-mails, and make telephone calls.
Unemployed PWDs must demand that they are included in any
job-creation programs. They must become visible and ardent in their demands.
Recently, President Barack Obama met with civil rights leaders to discuss ways
to combat the 17% unemployment rate among African Americans and Hispanic
Americans. In the meeting, who represented unemployed Americans with
disabilities? If the disabled community was not represented, its members should
demand a meeting to air their concerns and should press the president to have
the federal government hire PWDs.
Individuals with disabilities must be included in the
creation of green jobs or other jobs programs. They must be included in
programs that advance educational opportunities so they can move ahead
economically, personally and in other areas.
Unemployed people with disabilities must take their
concerns to the private sector and demand employment. The federal government
should not be the largest employer of people with disabilities -- the private
sector should be. Tax incentives are in effect, and the technology exists so
that people with disabilities can do the job. Employers should know by now that
people with disabilities have ability.
John Williams can be reached at
jwilliams@atechnews.com . His Web
site is www.atechnews.com .
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