Myths and Facts about Workers with Disabilities and People First Language

MYTH:

Hiring employees with disabilities increases workers' compensation insurance rates.

FACT:

Insurance rates are based solely on the relative hazards of the operation and the organization's accident experience, not on whether workers have disabilities.

MYTH:

Employees with disabilities have a higher absentee rate than employees without disabilities.

FACT:

Studies by firms such as Dupont show that employees with disabilities are not absent any more than employees without disabilities.

MYTH:

Considerable expense is necessary to accommodate workers with disabilities.

FACT:

Most workers with disabilities require no special accommodations and the cost for those who do is minimal or much lower than many employers believe.
Studies by the President's Committee's Job Accommodation Network have shown that 15% of accommodations cost nothing, 51% cost between $1 and $500, 12% cost between $501 and $1,000, and 22% cost more than $1,000.

People First Language

“People First” language is the appropriate way to discuss people with disabilities and focuses on the individual first before the disability they happen to have.

Why People First Language?

Words are very powerful and can in turn shape attitudes. Incorporating People First language into the written and spoken word demonstrates that people are unique and their abilities or disabilities are only a part of who they are. People First language is sensitive and accurate and helps break down community barriers, fosters mutual respect and opens lines of communication and acceptance.

Click here to download our People First Language Styleguide.



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