Myths are roadblocks that interfere with the ability of people with disabilities to have equality in employment. These roadblocks usually result from a lack of experience and interaction with persons with disabilities. This lack of familiarity has nourished negative attitudes concerning employment of persons with disabilities. Listed below are some common myths and the facts that tell the real story.

Myth: People with disabilities don’t have the education they need.

Fact: Over half of the people with disabilities have high school diplomas and over a third have post-secondary diplomas. Canadian adults with disabilities are about 2/3 as likely to have post-secondary education as adults without disabilities.

Myth: It costs too much to provide special accommodations needed by employees with disabilities.

Fact: While most people with disabilities in the workforce report some limitation at work (85%), fewer than 20% require any form of accommodation and the vast majority of those require 1 or 2 supports at most.

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

Fact: Studies by DuPont show that employees with disabilities are not absent anymore than employees without disabilities.

Myth: Persons with disabilities are unable to meet performance standards, thus making them a bad employment risk.

Fact: 1990 DuPont conducted a survey of 811 employees with disabilities and found 90% rated average or better in job performance compared to 95% of employees without disabilities.

Myth: Employees with disabilities are more likely to have accidents on the job than employees without disabilities.

Fact: DuPont Study: The safety records of both groups were identical.

Myth: Insurance rates will skyrocket if I hire people with disabilities

Fact: Hiring people with disabilities does not result in an increase in worker’s compensation rates. Insurance rates are based on relative hazards of the company’s operation and the employer’s accident record. An employee’s physical condition has no adverse effect.

Myth: Persons with disabilities are more prone to additional injuries

Fact: Workers with disabilities have average or better safety records on and off the job.

Myth: Workers with disabilities do not perform the job well

Fact: According to many employers who hired people with disabilities, these individuals generally are motivated, capable and dependable.

Myth: It will be difficult to supervise people with disabilities.

Fact: A Harris poll found that 82% of managers said employees with disabilities were no harder to supervise than employees without disabilities.

Myth: Persons with disabilities are not reliable.

Fact: Persons with disabilities tend to remain on the job and maintain better levels of attendance.

Myth: Someone will always have to help them.

Fact: This is not the case. With proper training, people with disabilities have adjusted to their disability in most cases. It does not affect their ability to work unaided.