Chapter 9: Disability in the Workforce: Navigating the Post-Pandemic Landscape and Embracing Neurodiversity

Folks with disabilities have customarily struggled with regard to their roles in society and their roles within the workforce. Studies show that, compared to the general population, folks with disabilities have much lower employment rates. Prior to the pandemic, the disabled had lower labor market participation and higher unemployment rates compared to the nondisabled population. Disabilities represent a wide range of conditions which can be physical, sensory, intellectual and developmental in nature. Due to unprecedented workforce shortages that employers experienced during the pandemic, they were compelled to find ways to expand their candidate pool, and they became much more receptive to treating the disabled as a viable hire. The social role valorization movement also helped to improve job prospects for the disabled. Post pandemically, both national and Kentucky data began showing promising developments concerning the employment of the disabled. More inclusive hiring practices, telemarketing work opportunities, improved labor market participation rates and respect for neuro-divergent folks have begun to play a more productive employment role. Barriers still exist for this population including attitudinal, transportation, and others. However, in the spirit of best practice, disability training programs are advised to include the disabled in program planning, use interactive methods to best engage the disabled, be accessible to all employers, use strengths-based approaches and provide ongoing resources and support. Progress is being made on behalf of the disabled jobless population, but much work still needs to be done.