About 18.6 million workers in the U.S. have a disability, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And only 21 percent of people ages 16 and older with disabilities are employed or are actively looking for work.
Zac Bradley is a disability rights advocate who serves as a vocational specialist with The Shepherd Center, a hospital in Atlanta focusing on medical treatment and rehabilitation for people with brain and spinal cord injuries or diseases. In an interview with SHRM Online, he discussed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the importance of remote work for employees with disabilities and simple ways companies can support these workers.
SHRM Online: The pandemic has in some ways helped people with disabilities secure employment through the increase in remote working options. But more companies are mandating a return to the office. How will this affect workers with disabilities?
Bradley: My hope is that it doesn't. Over the past two years, the pandemic has given people with disabilities evidence that they can do their job effectively while working remotely. A reasonable accommodation should be given to someone with a disability who can do the essential job duties. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these workers have been able to prove that. They've been at home doing their job.
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