Information generated from two prominent research sources, the Harris Poll of Employers and the Dupont Survey of Employment with Disabilities, reveal that employers have very positive experiences with employing people with developmental disabilities. Then why do people with developmental disabilities still experience employment-related discrimination?
Negative perceptions related to work quality and employer cost generally come from employers with little to no direct experience with workers with developmental disabilities. The research from the above two polls demonstrate that employees with developmental disabilities:
· worked as hard or harder than other workers
· were as reliable and/or punctual or more so
· produced as well or better
· were not harder or costlier to supervise
· often encountered discrimination
· demonstrated average or above-average leadership
Fortunately, in our community many business owners and managers are open to supportive work opportunities. They realize that it is not skill and ability that limits employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, but attitudes and false perceptions.
