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Goodwill Industries International Marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Despite advances, unemployment remains a challenge for Americans with disabilities

September 30, 2005

Rockville, MD – Goodwill Industries International supports National Disability Employment Awareness Month with its ongoing commitment to help people with disabilities find work and succeed in their jobs.   An employment resource for people with disabilities with decades of experience, last year alone Goodwill provided job training and career services to more than 132,000 people with physical or mental disabilities.  Goodwill helps people with disabilities gain confidence and financial independence through work.

“Goodwill is continuing to break barriers and put people with disabilities to work,” said says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  “Still, long-term employment and career advancement is a challenge for many workers with disabilities.”

A 2004 Harris Poll found that only 35 percent of people with disabilities reported being employed full or part time, compared with 78 percent of those without disabilities. The same survey found that three times as many people with disabilities live in poverty, with annual household incomes below $15,000, as compared to the general population. 

Many employers have misconceptions and apprehensions about hiring people with physical or mental disabilities.  Despite perceptions to the contrary, most workers with disabilities require no special accommodations, while the cost for those who do is minimal or often less than employers believe.  In addition, a 30-year DuPont study finds that employees with disabilities have above-average records in attendance, job dependability, performance, and safety.

One such standout employee is Tim. Born with cerebral palsy, his career path wasn't easy, and following a nervous breakdown during his senior year in college, doctors told him he would never hold a job. But he finished his degree in political science and then turned to Goodwill Industries of Houston for help finding work.  Today, Tim is a valued and reliable worker at Bed Bath & Beyond.  He is the daytime lead cashier, with responsibilities that include daily register balancing, customer service, product research, data input, shipping support and quality control.

“Hiring workers like Tim makes good business sense,” said Kessinger.   “It is time for employers to take advantage of this growing pool of committed, reliable workers and let go of misconceptions about Americans with disabilities.”