With the just announced ultra-low U.S. unemployment rate (3.5%), it’s easy to assume that everyone is benefitting. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Unemployment for those with disabilities, and particularly adults with autism, is astronomically high. Some estimates peg the rate as close to 80 or 90%. For many, they’ve been unemployed their entire lives. And a college education doesn’t really seem to make that much of a difference.
Years ago, when our autistic son Jimmy was a teen, my wife organized a support group for parents of special needs children. While members of this group had children with a wide range of disabilities, they shared a common goal for each of their children. That goal was summarized by Fran Allen. Fran was once asked a question about her son Greg. “What do you want your son to do when he grows up?” Her simple but eloquent response, “Pay taxes.” In other words, Fran wanted her son to be a contributing member of society.
According to U. S. Secretary of Labor, “Individuals with disabilities add significant talent and value to our workforce” and “offer employers diverse perspectives on how to tackle challenges and achieve success.” So far so good. But it’s also true that being employed, earning a paycheck, and being able to contribute to society motivates us and for many, is an integral part of why we get up each morning. Many of those on the spectrum have the talent and abilities to do a great job if they are given the opportunity.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It’s theme for 2019 is “The Right Talent, Right Now”. Employing people with disabilities is not just the right thing to do; its’s the smart thing to do.
Please note: I just finished a book that applies the latest research on autism to our family’s journey over more than four decades. My son Jimmy is a middle-aged adult on the autism spectrum. The voices and perspectives of my son, my wife and two daughters as well as friends and professionals are included throughout. It’s a real, uplifting, and remarkable story; one which I have wanted to share for a long time. Both the print and Kindle version of this book are now available. Profits will go to Linwood Center, an internationally recognized program whose mission is to create extraordinary lives for children and adults with autism (see https://www.facebook.com/RichardDBucherPh.D).
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