There are many different reasons for Delaware’s recent divide in labor numbers. Many older workers chose to retire at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and not re-enter the workforce. Delaware’s business landscape has also grown, and businesses are trying to attract people to come to the first state. Others have sought new opportunities in different industries, leaving a hole in their previous field.

Despite needing help, the disability community finds itself disproportionately affected more than ever when it comes to employment, according to many disability service providers.

The national unemployment rate for people with disabilities is nearly three times that of people without disabilities.

In the first state, the working population amounts to approximately 445,000 people. Of this number, 24,000 have a disability. Unemployed Delawares with disabilities total about 3,300 and 34,000 are not in the labor force, according to U.S. Census figures.

The Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council is one of the organizations working to raise awareness of this issue. The council was created to address the unmet needs of people with developmental disabilities through system-wide advocacy, planning and demonstration projects.

About 16% of Delawareans live with a disability, according to the DDC.

“Delaware has a higher percentage of people with disabilities than the national average,” said Kristin E. Harvey, executive director of the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council.

“About 1.08% of the total number of people with disabilities have what we classify as intellectual disability, which occurs before the age of 22. It affects three or more activities of daily living and is likely to continue indefinitely. “

Examples of developmental disabilities are Down syndrome, autism, Asperger’s syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Through its programs, the DDC strives to encourage employers to look to the disability community for their next worker, but ultimately, real change will mean a change of heart.

“When it comes to unemployment, I think it has a lot to do with mindset,” said DDC community relations manager Emmanuel Jenkins.

Mr. Jenkins was born with a disability. He suffers from cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Despite all the perceived challenges, Mr. Jenkins is active within the disability community and state government to help raise awareness and support others.

“It doesn’t matter how many jobs this state or this country creates, until we change the mindset of people, that people with disabilities can go to work and not only can they go to work, but they can go to work. and being dependable and often can be dedicated workers, things won’t change,” Mr. Jenkins said.

To help change perceptions, Mr Jenkins said he was working to be an example to others.

“I used to tell people not to give me a chance. Luck is like a lottery. You put your dollar in a box or directly and try your luck. People like me, people with disabilities, we don’t need a lottery ticket, we need an opportunity,” Mr Jenkins said.

To help foster opportunities, the DDC works as an advocate for its community and strives to educate employers about the opportunities that are available. The organization also works to combat misinformation about hiring people with disabilities.

“Not all people with disabilities will need or want reasonable accommodation. If they do, most are under $500. I guarantee the value that person brings to a business or organization far exceeds that $500,” Ms. Harvey said.

For Delaware’s disability community in 2022, the issue of unemployment is important. The federal government, through its 14(c) licensing program, allows some employers to pay workers with disabilities wages below the minimum. Delaware abolished this practice last year.

“Until recently, it was legal for some businesses and organizations to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage. And it was completely legal. And our view was, you know, this is not acceptable to any human being,” Ms Harvey said.

Mr. Jenkins also works on a state task force that works to resolve issues related to pay and working conditions.

For employers who want to help solve this problem, the resources are there. The DDC can direct companies to information sources and groups.

Initiatives like Delaware Works offer a wealth of resources to connect jobs with workers with disabilities. Delaware Works is an online portal that can connect employers to employees.

The Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative, Division for the Visually Impaired, The Arc of Delaware, and the Department of Health and Human Services are just a few examples of other programs working on this issue.

For workers with disabilities who want to enter the workforce, the Delaware Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services are all good starting points.

For more information about the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council, visit ddc.delaware.gov.