Disability Discrimination In The Workplace: An Overview

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Disability Discrimination In The Workplace An
Overview
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• Many millions of US citizens are physical or
  mentally disabled, and just like those belonging
  to minority race, religion and gender groups,
  they continue to face discrimination both
  socially and within the workplace.
• What is disability discrimination in the
  workplace?
• When an employee, who has been taken on because
  they are qualified to perform that job role, is
  treated unfavorably because of their mental or
  physical disability, this is disability
  discrimination.

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• Unfortunately, there are many types of
  discrimination that can occur in the workplace,
  but there is a difference between the types of
  discrimination displayed towards disabled people,
  and the forms of discrimination directed towards
  people based upon their race, color, religion or
  gender.
• The kind of discrimination shown towards disabled
  people can be caused by pity or even a misguided
  form of compassion, and can manifest itself in
  the form of demeaning or patronizing behavior and
  attitudes. It can also result in the fundamental
  needs of the disabled employee not being
  recognized this type of discrimination is known
  as benign neglect.

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• What is benign neglect in the workplace?
• If a workplace does not provide adequate access
  for disabled people, such as by installing a
  ramp, or once inside their premises, there are no
  restroom facilities designed for disabled people
  to be able to use, then this can be benign
  neglect.
• This form of discrimination isnt necessarily an
  indication that the person responsible has a
  feeling of hatred or apathy towards disabled
  people, it just shows that they have failed to
  recognize the needs of a certain minority section
  of their workforce.

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• How else does disability discrimination manifest
  itself in the workplace?
• Discrimination may also take the form of
  harassment in the workplace, and can include
  offensive or hurtful remarks about a persons
  disability. While the law cant prohibit teasing,
  it can certainly look upon the constant
  harassment of an employee as being an illegal
  offence, particularly if it creates a hostile
  environment for the employee, to the point where
  they no longer feel comfortable or safe while at
  work.

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• How easy is it for disabled employees to report a
  case of discrimination?
• In whatever form discrimination towards disabled
  people may manifest itself, for those disabled
  people who want, and need, to work, it can often
  be difficult for them to find a job that accepts
  and supports their disability. Then, should a
  disabled person find employment but their
  employer(s) discriminates against them by not
  recognizing their fundamental needs such as
  providing them with wheelchair access to the
  building, or they are offered a lower wage than
  their colleagues because of their supposed lack
  of ability to carry out the terms of their
  employment, it can be difficult for that person
  to report and take action against, their
  employer. In some cases, the types of
  discrimination (such as verbal harassment) may be
  impossible to prove, and the type of disability
  the victim has, can also cause controversy and
  come under scrutiny.

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• What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?
• The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits any form
  of disability discrimination by federal agencies,
  contractors and others who receive federal
  financial assistance. Courts have ruled that
  private individuals may file actions under this
  act against such employers, as opposed to a
  government entity.

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