It’s National Disability Employment Awareness
Month and I have a dream. It’s where individuals with disabilities have an equal
seat at the conference table, not above, or below, but equal. Not a seat where chairs are rearranged for a
wheelchair to fit, or a seat where co-workers are distracted by wanting to pet
the service dog sitting quietly at their master’s feet, or the seat the
disabled applicant quickly vacated because the interviewer decided they ‘weren’t
a fit’ based solely on their disability.
I dream that disabled get the same
treatment, respect, and job opportunities
as others; to be promoted for their abilities, intellect, passion, dedication, persistence—and
their strength; to break the disability glass ceiling that limits their work
potential because their leg, arm, or sometimes their brain isn’t programmed to
function the same as others.
I dream that disabled job candidates can
stop dancing around inappropriate interview questions asked by a hiring manager
who is clueless on what can land them in legal trouble for asking in regards to
a disability.
I dream that the world will ban the
term handicap and disabled as label for disabilities as it focuses on what can’t
be done, rather than what can be done; and instead that we embrace a new form
of ableism not found in the dictionary, but ableism defined as people being
evaluated solely on the their abilities; the belief that everyone has a skill
or contribution for employment.
This National Disability Employment
Awareness Month I dream that every employer, business, and working professional
will implement a change that results in making all employment opportunities
inclusive for those with disabilities—both visible and hidden.
I have a dream….
