An overview of workplace discrimination and disability

• an official unemployment rate of 14.2% vs. 9% for non-disabled – larger than any other protected class of citizens [3]; • the average duration of unemployment was 25 weeks vs. 21 weeks for non-disabled [3]; • higher levels of under-employment including [4]; ◦ 7.8% involuntary part-time workers for AWDs vs. 5.5% for non-disabled; and ◦ 11.5% experienced reduction in wages; i.e., full-time earnings <$330 per week; • a substantial reduction in the percentage of the American workforce identifying itself as “with disability” (down 9% in relative value from 3.44% to 3.14% [5, 6]; and • protections against economic ruin afforded to most workers by higher levels of education and work/life experience were less effective for AWDs [4].