Difference Is Not A Hinderance
Labor Day; the ‘unofficial’ end of summer. School has already started for many, and some students went back two or more weeks ago and Fall is just around the corner with cooler nights, colored foliage on the trees making autumn one of the most appreciated seasons of all. The vibrant colors of gold, red, rust, orange, yellows and browns with the sprinkling of ever green trees can cause a forest to be a breathtaking sight!
Yet, the events that led up to that first Labor Day celebration, was anything but beautiful. It was a time of high unrest as workers fought against poor labor conditions in the workplace. Labor strikes were prevalent and often incited violence rather than the welcoming floats and grandness of marching bands which we see now.
LABOR DAY ORIGINS
It wasn’t until 1894 when President Grover Cleveland dedicated the first Monday in September, as a day set aside to recognize the contributions people made in the workplace. Better wages with hours better regulated and other improved working condition were celebrated.
Even while all this is true, it didn’t seem to apply to everyone. It’s been an ongoing battle for the disability community for decades. Federal laws are still being created and implemented, to better help those with disabilities to obtain meaningful, innovative and positive employment conditions.
THE DISABLED EMPLOYEE
The disability worker launches into a workplace world which accepts him often begrudgingly. Only after an excruciating desire exists to work through the mire, which demands a ‘never give up attitude”, and strong ambition to become productive and self-supporting can the disabled person even acquire employment in their desired field. Inclusion in the workplace becomes a hugely collaborative and intensly difficult journey, despite their qualifications!
It isn’t uncommon, even now, that the individual with a disability, upon entering the work force is required to offer documents with detailed information about their disability from doctors, and setting up appointments to coordinate with potential employers who dig deep into personal heath conditions just to be able to report to work! As one person put it, it’s "an incredible art of over-share".
WORKING MATTERS
It isn’t always about the perfect job with the huge paycheck, although that helps! It’s about dignity, contribution and emotional fulfillment. It’s about believing ‘they can’ and the desire to make it happen! Being seen, included, and accepted as someone who has what it takes to join the ‘team’, is vital to living a full life.
Far too often, those with disabilities, are left feeling abandoned by society and invisible in their workplace. Their worth is less than of their non-disabled counterparts and ‘missed’ when promotions are given.
However, just like every other employee within the framework of any type of industry, the disabled person matters. They have skills and talents which are often overlooked. This can cause frustration and burnout as they fight to prove themselves, again and again.
EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER
While it may be true some adaptive changes may be needed to be applied to make the workplace a bit more manageable, each person has something valuable to share. The challenges do not outweigh the desire and ability to complete the task before them.
The entrepreneurial spirit of the American worker still lives today. The disability community recognizes first hand the benefits of having a problem-solving nature, given their personal struggles whether it be physical, or other disability.
Disability does not mean inability. It just means the ability to do something differently. It may even be innovative to the point of increased potential if ‘the powers that be’ are willing to allow those who want to work the opportunity!
Not everyone fits into a round ‘peg hole’. Sometimes it requires resizing, reshaping, or totally rebuilding. But given the chance, the disabled person desires and is willing to work in a world where their difference, is not considered a hinderance!