The mission for inclusion is not complete, if we do not address inclusive employment for adults with disabilities. Most of us, including people with disabilities, will become adults and will eventually leave school. Inclusion is no less important beyond the boundaries of childhood – in housing, working, socializing, and otherwise engaging with our daily lives. Living and working in the community has not been the norm for people with disabilities in the US or other countries around the world. In some countries, including in the US, UK, Russian Federation, Czech Republic, etc., people with disabilities were put in institutions and segregated from society for most of their lives. They did not work and often did not engage in any other meaningful activities. In other countries, such as India or Bhutan, people with disabilities have typically lived with their families and were not considered as valuable contributors to society, but rather as a burden, someone that needs to be looked after, and live their life in such a way that they will born as someone better in the next life.

With the increased emphasis of the rights of people with disabilities to inclusive education, being included in the community, and inclusive employment as supported by the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and other state legislations, schools, community-based facilities, and employers are making changes in the ways they conduct “business.”

The goal of this module is to highlight the importance of inclusive employment for people with disabilities as well as for employers and society at large. The module outlines key principles and components of inclusive employment.

People with disabilities have historically not worked at all, worked for free, or for subminimum wages in low-skilled jobs. In some countries, including the US, UK, Russian Federation or the Czech Republic, some people with disabilities have worked in sheltered segregated employment, while others have not worked at all. In other countries, including India or Bhutan, people with disabilities have worked on farms or in low-skilled construction, or not at all.

As a result of the CRPD, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other national legislations as well as through advocacy by people with disabilities or their families, people with disabilities are becoming an important part of the workforce. Having inclusive and competitive employment is associated with improved physical and psychological well-being, mental health, and social inclusion, and other aspects of quality of life. When people with disabilities are working, employers and the government also benefit. People with disabilities are reliable and productive employees that bring new talent to the workforce. When they earn competitive wages, they are also significant contributors to the country’s economy as taxpayers.

Despite these positive efforts, a low proportion of people with disabilities are currently employed at all or are not employed competitively. The average employment rate of people with disabilities worldwide is approximately 20%, which also reflects the employment statistics in Bhutan. In the US, approximately 41% of people with disabilities are employed, compared to 83% of people without disabilities. Of those employed, however, many are under-employed, work for a subminimum wage, or in segregated settings.