Data on workplace discrimination in 2016 has been released, and the numbers are grim. Across the board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found that discrimination complaints rose yet again, and disability-based discrimination appears to be steadily increasing.
This is bad news for America’s disability community, which simply wants equal access to a fair, respectful workplace — just like everyone else.
A little over 30 percent of charges in 2016 involved cases of disability discrimination, despite the fact that disabled people only make up about 20 percent of the population and a very small percentage of the workforce.
Just 17.5 percent of disabled people were employed in 2015, the most recent year with available statistics. This low number occurs for a variety of reasons. Some can’t work or aren’t interested in working, while some must remain unemployed to retain benefits. And others very much want to work, but can’t find jobs.
Disabled people who are employed tend to be more likely to work in low-wage settings, especially temporary or part-time jobs that may not offer benefits or stability.
And this is where employment discrimination comes in — many disabled people report trouble getting interviews and being hired and fear their disability status may be a factor.
At work, people may be subjected to harassment, denials of accommodation, retaliation, refusal to grant promotions and other forms of discrimination. Employers and managers may have a variety of reasons for discriminating against disabled employees, including a belief that they aren’t as capable, doubts about their intelligence or the idea that hiring them is an act of charity or kindness, rather than a business decision.
Some disabled people may also face discrimination based on other aspects of who they are, and that makes things even more complicated. For example, disabled people of color are at increased risk of discrimination, especially if they’re women. Likewise, disabled LGBQT…