Opportunities Are Real— Or Are They?

Opportunities! By itself, this word has exciting connotations! As young people graduate from high school, or college, their passion is high and confidence even higher; they can conquer the world!

The truth is, however, sometimes having determination and a good education doesn’t always guarantee a job! The workplace can be incredibly competitive and job interviews intense! Finding the perfect work space, with all the ideology that comes with opportunities, can become frustrating and confusing.

DIVERSITY

Diversity is one factor that contributes to this experience. In a society that wants equal opportunity for all, sometimes doesn’t seem equal at all. Efforts are made to establish fairness not only in education, but also that race and gender aren’t obstacles. I’m not suggesting this is a bad thing, unless the person hired isn’t qualified and gets the position just because of filling ‘equality data quotas’.

COVID changed a lot of the hiring atmosphere when everyone had to isolate, and working at home became more the accepted cultural shift to hold a job, in order to keep the overall population ‘safe’. One area this might have helped, even if only slightly, is in the disabled community. Accessibility into a business setting wasn’t as necessary since all work could be completed without entering the workplace.

DIFFERENCES CAN MAKE PEOPLE NERVOUS

But generally speaking, those with a disability often suffer most from ‘lack of opportunity’, despite the huge push for diversity! This situation can have devastating effects on a person's pride and sense of worth. Their differences make employers very nervous, and are largely misunderstood!

But there are expanding economic opportunities becoming more available as state and local governments are recognizing the value of hiring the disability community. While many, perhaps even most, employers have re-opened their doors to in ‘the workplace’, employees, some with disabilities have discovered their workplace has made improvements to accommodate a disability. However, their is still plenty to do!

NOTEWORTHY OPPORTUNITY

One area which made a surprising shift is in healthcare positions. There is data that suggests struggles with keeping qualified workers in this field, and creates a significant opportunity for some with disabilities. They’ve begun to appreciate the value a disabled person can offer in administration and other areas, where turnover is noteworthy.

We all want to be accepted for who we are, and valued for what we can do! Discrimination has been a culprit for gaining a good paying job, even when we’ve felt qualified. It isn’t always about how we look, dress, or talk or where we came from. It could be the interviewer is having a bad day. But when a qualified person who responds quietly or carefully, is not chosen, it makes a person wonder why. Answering a question honestly, yet indicating a disability, albeit one that isn't physical can be awkward, leaving the door open for immediate exclusion.

Photo Credit: Future Dream Opportunities

OUR DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE

Our dreams include being recognized for our talents, capabilities and determination. Just because a person doesn’t fit the societal norms shouldn’t mean it’s okay to be judged because we don’t understand everything about them—or their unseen disability. Is it fair to put a price on someone else’s value when they haven’t been given a chance to prove themselves, especially if they are qualified in every area?

In a world where outward appearance is paramount, it’s the responsibility of leaders in the work sector to look beyond physicalities to see the person living inside the frame. Is that asking too much? Maybe, if everything within the workplace hinges on a facade.

Photo Credit: Value, Worth, Gifts and Talents

OUR VALUE AND WORTH

As humans, no one is perfect. Our value and worth are determined by the way we live and believe, not on someone else’s assumptions. We are all created with talents and gifts, and we each have something to share. Some of us experience more pain than others, but that pain can be productive when we allow it to shape our soul in a positive way, instead of having it trampled on again and again.

When a person is able to function and live in an equally positive environment, regardless of differences, the world all around creates better opportunities and is a healthier and stronger place.

Opportunities Are Real— Or Are They?

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