62% of Disabled Unemployed

by Leigh Graham · 2009-09-16 12:37:00 UTC
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National unemployment is over 9%, but for some groups, the rates are much higher.  Worse, competition even for the lowest-wage jobs has gotten more intense. According to the census, 62% of disabled Americans are out of work - and now some social service agents are saying their job prospects have never been "this bad."

The recession - far from over for millions of us - has exerted intense downward pressure on many, as people take whatever job they can find. Hit hardest by this trend are those with disabilities who might otherwise be placed in entry-level positions such as bagging groceries or light office work.

This is not just a loss for the disabled. Though the disabled generally are eligible for long-term government assistance (SSI), many would choose to work and earn if they could. SSI rates now will rise - assuming they haven't been sharply slashed by state governments - because we can't find jobs for the disabled, and employers lose out on employees who meet or exceed the performance levels of non-disabled workers, research shows.

Millions of disabled but capable and amibitious workers have effectively been pushed out of the workforce despite concerted efforts to learn skills and find work. This is a problem even in boom times, and one with no end in sight as our jobless recovery picks up.

(Photo by dominikgolenia)

Leigh Graham
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