Disabling Prejudice Published Oct. 22, 2010 By Anne Germany 48th Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity Office ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and this year's theme is "Talent has no boundaries: Workforce Diversity INCLUDES Workers with Disabilities," which serves to inform us that employees with disabilities represent a diverse and talented pool of individuals, making valuable and valid contributions within the workplace. According to Executive Order 13548 of July 26, 2010, "Approximately 54 million Americans are living with a disability. The Federal Government has an important interest in reducing discrimination against Americans living with disability, in eliminating the stigma associated with disability, and in encouraging Americans with disabilities to seek employment in the Federal workforce... Individuals with disabilities currently represent just over five percent of the nearly 2.5 million people in the Federal workforce..." Yet, despite the strides made within the workplace arena regarding access to buildings and modifications to workplace equipment, myths and misconceptions still abound regarding the ability of disabled employees to contribute effectively. People with disabilities continue to be unemployed and underemployed in the workplace within the United States. Essentially, they embody an untapped labor pool offering valuable skills, qualifications and assets to the workplace. Not only are disabled employees as diverse and talented as able-bodied employees, they are frequently required to adapt to their environment, finding alternative ways of working and therefore present themselves as innovative thinkers. Employers sometimes perceive hiring a disabled employee as costly, but research has shown that most modifications, such as lighting, seating, adjusting work stations and providing flexible hours have proven to be cost neutral. Some disabilities may require an initial financial outlay, such as adaptive technology for the visually impaired, but this usually proves cost effective as studies have proved the retention for disabled employees exceeds that of other employees. It is not always possible to notice that someone in the workplace has a disability. This is particularly relevant when mental health issues are concerned, such as depression. It is important to avoid stereotyping such individuals and making assumptions about their ability to assimilate within the workplace. One in five people within the United States suffers from, or has experienced, a depressive episode at some point in their lives but continue to work effectively; however the stigma remains. It is therefore essential that employers remain educated and supportive regarding these issues. Employees with a disability are not a homogenous group and individually are as unique as able-bodied employees, therefore they deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and courtesy and recognized for their substantial talent and diverse contributions to the workplace. In the words of Martina Navratilova: "Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone." Notable people with disabilities: Abraham Lincoln, 16th President - bi-polar/depression Harriet Tubman, abolitionist/humanitarian campaigner - epilepsy Helen Keller, activist/writer - blind and deaf Ludwig Van Beethoven, composer - deaf Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds of the 20th Century - learning disability, dyslexic Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President - paralyzed by polio Sylvia Plath, writer/author - depression Steven Hawking, renowned physicist - Lou Gehrig disease (ALS)/Muscular Dystrophy Robin Williams, Oscar winning actor/comedian - Attention Deficit Disorder Michael J. Fox, actor - Parkinson's disease