ACCESSIBILITY IS AT THE INTERSECTION OF EMPLOYMENT

BARRIERS HINDER EMPLOYEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The bottom line is there are more qualified workers with disabilities than one can count.

Too many are unemployed or under-employed.

This is not because of their disability; it is because the built environment – including buildings designed and built long after the ADA was the law of the land – literally blocks their access to the workplace.

This must change.

Architects, engineers, planners and other designers have a gift.

They must use that gift to create truly inclusive Universal Design.

So, as businesses get prepared for a lot of activity in October for Disability Employment Month, I would encourage all businesses to assess their environments and identify the barriers you have that keeping people with disabilities from full participation.