In 1964 the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act, the first comprehensive civil rights bill prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, and national origin. The Act set legal grounds against employment discrimination, including hiring, promoting, and firing.
However, it didn’t include people with disabilities.
Attempts to amend the Civil Rights Act to include protection over this large and diverse group eventually shifted towards a stand-alone statute, resulting in the ADA that came into law on July 26, 1990.
For over two decades, the movement for equality and the ongoing societal transformation overlooked individuals with disabilities. They remained systematically marginalized in the workplace until the 90s, limiting professional growth and development opportunities.
Fortunately, the passage of the ADA, subsequent disability-specific legislation, and organizations such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have significantly contributed to shifting the narrative toward inclusion and equal rights. This helped dismantle discriminatory practices and foster a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
And in the digital age, disability awareness is more important than ever.
Research shows that people with disabilities feel excluded more than other marginalized groups. They also remain underemployed, despite representing one-quarter of the population.
Although it can’t make up for decades of segregation and bias, awareness of disability rights can improve the current participation of this group in the workforce.
It can also advantage employers.
A publication by the International Labor Organization, “Making workplaces inclusive of people with disabilities,” reveals that companies can benefit from employing workers with disabilities since their employment positively impacts workforce morale and enhances productivity.
Additionally, it improves services for consumers who are disabled and the overall business practices to accommodate people with disabilities.
Employers’ efforts to provide equal treatment are essential to achieving full digital accessibility for both their employees and customers. This includes creating accessible websites with user-centered design, implementing assistive technologies, and setting up inclusive platforms to accommodate diverse users.
Moreover, educating on correct language usage, addressing biases and microaggression, training hiring managers, and establishing support groups can all help reduce social exclusion and biases, improving the overall well-being of employees with disabilities.
It’s vital to remember that these initiatives should not be driven solely by compliance with laws or a financial incentive but by a desire for equal opportunity. It’s the best path to creating better accessibility and a genuinely inclusive workplace that benefits all.