 Myths
are roadblocks that interfere with the ability of
persons with disabilities to have equality in
employment. These roadblocks usually result from a
lack of experience and interaction with persons with
disabilities. This lack of familiarity has nourished
negative attitudes concerning employment of persons
with disabilities. Below are some common myths and
the facts that tell the real story.
MYTH: Hiring employees with
disabilities increases workers compensation
insurance rates.
FACT: Insurance rates are based solely
on the relative hazards of the operation and the
organization's accident experience, not on whether
workers have disabilities.
MYTH: Employees with disabilities have
a higher absentee rate than employees without
disabilities.
FACT: Studies by firms such as DuPont
show that employees with disabilities are not absent
any more than employees without disabilities.
MYTH: Persons with disabilities are
inspirational, courageous, and brave for being able
to overcome their disability.
FACT: Persons with disabilities are
simply carrying on normal activities of living when
they drive to work, go grocery shopping, pay their
bills, or compete in athletic events.
MYTH: Persons with disabilities need
to be protected from failing.
FACT: Persons with disabilities have a
right to participate in the full range of human
experiences including success and failure. Employers
should have the same expectations of, and work
requirements for, all employees.
MYTH: Persons with disabilities are
unable to meet performance standards, thus making
them a bad employment risk.
FACT: In 1990, DuPont conducted a
survey of 811 employees with disabilities and found
90% rated average or better in job performance
compared to 95% for employees without disabilities.
A similar 1981 DuPont study which involved 2,745
employees with disabilities found that 92% of
employees with disabilities rated average or better
in job performance compared to 90% of employees
without disabilities. The 1981 study results were
comparable to DuPont's 1973 job performance study.
MYTH: Persons with disabilities have
problems getting to work.
FACT: Persons with disabilities are
capable of supplying their own transportation by
choosing to walk, use a car pool, drive, take public
transportation, or a cab. Their modes of
transportation to work are as varied as those of
other employees.
MYTH: Persons who are deaf make ideal
employees in noisy work environments.
FACT: Loud noises of a certain
vibratory nature can cause further harm to the
auditory system. Persons who are deaf should be
hired for all jobs that they have the skills and
talents to perform. No person with a disability
should be prejudged regarding employment
opportunities.
MYTH: Considerable expense is
necessary to accommodate workers with disabilities.
FACT: Most workers with disabilities
require no special accommodations and the cost for
those who do is minimal or much lower than many
employers believe. Studies by the Office of
Disability Employment Policy's Job Accommodation
Network have shown that 15% of accommodations cost
nothing, 51% cost between $1 and $500, 12% cost
between $501 and $1,000, and 22% cost more than
$1,000.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
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