2007 BDI/Kelton Survey
New research from the Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) reveals that nearly half of Atlanta workers (47 percent) believe unemployment among people with physical and mental disabilities has reached a crisis point. And for good reason: people with disabilities represent America’s largest minority group, but continue to suffer a 65 percent rate of unemployment. When asked to describe the groups of people that the term “equal opportunity” pertains to, only 2 percent of respondents stated “workers with disabilities.”KEY FINDINGS:
Top Perceived Barriers to Hiring People with Disabilities
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According to Atlanta’s workforce, the following barriers top the list of reasons why employers are reluctant to hire individuals from this group:
- Respondents identify lack of knowledge about accommodating people with disabilities (54 percent) and lack of knowledge about people with disabilities in general (52 percent) as the primary deterrent to hiring and employment.
- Respondents refer to concerns over cost for workplace adjustments and accommodations (46 percent) when explaining the lack of employment among individuals with disabilities.
- Respondents feel disabled persons aren’t hired more often because they cannot adequately perform required work duties (27 percent)
Two hundred fifty workers in the Atlanta area from small to large companies, and rural, suburban and urban areas, completed detailed phone interviews concerning the issue of working with and employing individuals with disabilities. Survey respondents were asked for their feedback on issues including special hiring/training practices, perceived unemployment rate, employer barriers and costs associated with making workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
