Myths and Misconceptions about Individuals with Disabilities [2.2.2.I.1]

Many U.S. employers are concerned that the reasonable accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will lead to prohibitive costs. However, studies by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a division of U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), have shown that is not true. This research finds that 15 percent of required reasonable accommodations cost nothing, 51 percent cost between $1 and $500, 12 percent cost between $501 and $1,000, and 22 percent cost more than $1,000.¹ In addition, tax incentives and other advantages may be available to employers. More information on these can be found on the website of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center and the Hiring Incentives section of the Employer Assistance and Recruiting Network (EARN) Reference Desk website.

Another misperception is that individuals with disabilities are not likely to be the best qualified applicants for professional jobs. By focusing on what workers with disabilities cannot do, many employers remain unaware of the wide range of skills, knowledge, and abilities offered by individuals with disabilities. A list of common myths and misperceptions about individuals with disabilities and employment can be found on the website of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

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