Technology and Disability Forum Demonstrates Benefits of a Diverse Workplace

On October 26-27, Cornell University hosted an event to promote increasing technology-related jobs for people with disabilities. The Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) School Forum was aimed at connecting technology companies, professional and financial firms, as well as policymakers and people with disabilities, and demonstrates the benefits of employing people with disabilities. Susanne Bruyère, Director of the Yang-Tan Institute and Professor of Disability Studies at ILR School said, “We need to be thinking about radical new approaches to facilitating needed changes to take advantage of this largely untapped labor force. Technology and the tech industry is offering us these opportunities across a number of fronts. Tech employers are accelerating positive outcomes for workers with disabilities and helping close employment and economic gaps. Tech’s growth and partnership with the disability community is beginning to move job barriers for thousands each year.” 

 

Within the U.S., two-thirds of working-aged people with disabilities of working unemployed, and many that do have jobs struggle to make a decent living. The event highlighted the business opportunities of hiring employees with disabilities. Bruyère said, “Embracing neurodiversity is an exciting paradigm shift. Today, with increasing appreciation of the value diversity brings to business, employers are re-examining their views and seeing how this additional dimension to diversity can be great for business.” The ILR’s Forum adds weight to the growing evidence that employees with disabilities have much to offer their employers. Source: Mary Catt, Cornell Chronicle.