Will Work, Need Jobs That Fit

by Kristina Chew · 2009-07-02 14:26:00 UTC
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A recent NPR story recounts the quest of 55-year-old Michael Medina for a job. Medina had worked as janitor at Stacey's Bookstore in San Francisco until it went out of business in March. NPR makes it clear, the economic crisis affects both individuals with disabilities and those like job coaches who help them. Medina's job coach, Nina Asay, accompanies him on interviews, helps him learn what to do in a new job, and is here to "'help [him] out,'" as she herself says. But the San Francisco chapter of The Arc---the largest nonprofit helping individuals with developmental disabilities find general employment---is in danger of losing $3 million in state funding come September.

With all that said, NPR reports emphasizes that the greatest hurdle for individuals like Medina are people's attitudes.

......the biggest obstacle to placing people in jobs is negative stereotypes, says John Kemp of the U.S. Business Leadership Network, a national organization that assists with hiring and retaining employees with disabilities.

"The first response of the unenlightened employer is, 'No way. We have too many complex issues here, too many business processes that they will not be able to understand and execute,'" he says.

But Kemp says there are bright spots. Large national chains including Walgreens, McDonald's and Safeway continue to create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

And certainly more people seeing individuals with disabilities in jobs in the community is crucial to changing attitudes. To reiterate a question asked by Dora: Do we change people to fit jobs or find jobs to fit people? Can we change jobs and workplaces to fit people?

Can we craft locks and keyholes that will fit the keys, those who are ready to work like Michael Medina?

Kristina Chew
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