Answered Questions is a monthly resource for the Spanish language Disability Community that fills an information need. This month’s question is: I’m an advocate who focuses on employment – I’m excited to see more opportunities for people with disabilities, but I’m cautious about what’s on the horizon. This edition of Answered Questions includes items that research the advancement of employment equity for multiply marginalized people with disabilities; discuss employment equity for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD); discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact for people with disabilities; and discuss how technology, inclusion, and employability are three keys to equity; among others. More about Answered Questions.

NIDILRR-Funded Projects:

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Advancing Employment Equity for Multiply Marginalized People with Disabilities (LU2E-RRTC) (in English) generates new knowledge leading to a reduction of disparities in employment outcomes among the diverse population of people with disabilities whose identities intersect with those of other historically underserved populations, such as people of color, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those from under-resourced communities, among others. Researchers at this Center explore data from various national surveys to provide detailed information about intersectional employment disparities experienced by people with disabilities across subpopulations as defined by race, ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ identities, poverty status, and rural locale prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The LU2E-RRTC tests a new innovative prototype for a Multiple Marginalized Persons with Disabilities Small Business Incubator Model (M2-PWDI) that connects various organizations and minority-serving institutions to train and peer-mentor entrepreneurs with disabilities from traditionally underserved populations to create small businesses that help close the wealth gap.

From the NARIC Collection:

The article, Employment equity for people with IDD across the lifespan: The effects of state funding (in English), discusses a study that investigated the effect of age and cross-level interaction of age and state funding on employment outcomes of Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver recipients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The study found that young and older adults experienced the lowest employment outcomes and that the effects of age were moderated in states with higher fiscal effort to integrated employment services.

Research In Focus:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact for people with and without disabilities. The article, Both Employers and Workers with Disabilities Are Feeling the Effects of COVID-19 on Employment and Earnings, discusses a NIDILRR-funded study from the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment of People with Physical Disabilities (in English) that examined the effects of COVID-19 on the employment of people with disabilities and on employers. Researchers also sought to understand the subsequent employment and financial challenges experienced by people with disabilities during the pandemic. The authors indicated that this study offers preliminary insight into the disparities faced by people with disabilities during the pandemic and may offer an opportunity for employers and policymakers to help address these disparities. This article is also available in English.

Technology:

The article, Technology, Inclusion, and Employability: Three Keys to Equity from the Colombian Ministry of Information Technology and Communications, discusses the emphasis that the Pact for Colombia, Pact for Equity has placed on reducing the inequality gap for people with disabilities in Colombia. This pact promotes goals aimed at guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities, including their right to work and inclusion in employment. The article also discusses how making a country more inclusive benefits employers and breaks the attitudinal barriers to employment and the independence of people with disabilities, among other benefits. The article also discusses how technology increases employment equity.

Employment:

The article, Promotion of the employment of people with disabilities in the open labor market, provides a critical analysis of the main tools that exist in Spain to promote the employment of people with disabilities in the open labor market considering the new Consolidated Text of the General Act on the Rights of People with Disabilities, social inclusion, and the Global Strategy on Employment of People with Disabilities 2008-2012. The authors also evaluate the existing limited grant to implement workplace accommodations and evaluate some key issues regarding employment grants.

Resources:

• Incluyeme is a non-profit organization that works for the socio-labor inclusion of people with disabilities in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, México, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, and Uruguay. Incluyeme works with over 500 businesses all over Latin America in recruiting, hiring, and assisting employees with disabilities. Incluyeme also works with people with disabilities with training and in finding equitable employment.
• The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or employee because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. EEOC’s mission is to prevent and remedy unlawful employment discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all in the workplace. The EEOC also provides information for people with disabilities and for employers related to discrimination due to disability.
• The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) (in English) at the US Department of Labor develops and promotes policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. ODEP disseminates policy strategies and effective practices, shares information, and provides technical assistance to government agencies, services providers, non-governmental entities, and public and private employers, among others. ODEP also hosts several initiatives, including the Campaign for Disability Employment, National Disability Employment Month (in English), and the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (in English).

Further Research:

REHABDATA:

• Employment equity.
  • Employment equity and rehabilitation.
  • Employment equity and community.

PubMed:

• Employment equity.
  • Employment equity and participation.
  • Employment equity and rehabilitation.

International:

• Employment equity.
  • Employment.
  • Employment and community.

About Answered Questions

Each month, we look through the searches on our blog and through the information requests made by our patrons who speak Spanish and pick a topic that fills the largest need. Each resource mentioned above is associated with this month’s information need. We search the various Spanish language news sources and feeds throughout the month to bring you these articles. With the exception of the NIDILRR Projects, From the NARIC Collection, and Further Investigation, all the linked articles and resources are in Spanish – any that are in English will be clearly marked.