Sir, People with disabilities, as over 10 per cent of the population, will be greatly disappointed at the judgement of the Supreme Court on May 15th. In reaching its judgement, the court may not have had regard to available information concerning the costs and benefits to employers of employing people with disabilities.
Current statistics, available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, show that 95 per cent of employers incur a cost of less than $5,000, while 73 per cent of employers actually save up to $20,000 and a further 25 per cent of employers save up to $100,000. The above figures explode the myth that employing people with disabilities is costly to employers.
Up to 70 per cent of people with disabilities are unemployed and are cast into a state of permanent dependency. This is a huge cost to everyone, most importantly to people with disabilities and their families.
People with disabilities are firstly people with abilities and equal citizens. They are entitled to a fair chance in life. Hopefully the next Dail will urgently address the rights of people with disabilities in the world of work so that they, like other citizens, can share the benefits of a successful and forward looking economy. - Yours, etc.
Disability Policy Adviser,
SIPTU,
Liberty Hall,
Dublin 1.