Furthering disability rights through inclusive education and employment

Abstract

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite disability rights advocacy and the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, people with disabilities continue to be under employed in America. For the past 20 years vocational rehabilitation agencies have developed effective strategies to better prepare people for employment however, employment outcomes have not increased.

OBJECTIVE: This article examines common employment strategies as they related to the medical model of disability and asserts that perhaps it is time to shift the focus of our efforts to examine and address employers’ misconceptions and bias’ regarding people with disabilities.

CONCLUSION: The social model of disability is presented as an alternative that seeks to target change in attitude and awareness of those without disability through employer and inclusive education.