Matt Gurney: Every Canadian, even the disabled, deserves the chance for a job, is the title of the article I am analyzing throughout this blog. The writer of this article discusses the disabled person and the accessibility for the physically and mentally disabled to not only provide for themselves as individuals but to be part of the working economy. Currently “the federal government is establishing a working group with major private-sector participation, to investigate ways to get more of Canada’s 4.3 million disabled citizens into the workforce” (Gurney, 2012).
It is questioned whether or not the disabled should be able to work given the right circumstances and privileges. Personally I agree with the movement in order to find the right circumstances and situations for these less able to earn their keep but to be apart of the working economy as well. Someone who is less physically able may be a lot more mentally able for certain forms of employment and vice versa. Now there are extreme conditions where the disabled are truly unable to be a productive employee in any way shape or form. But who is to decide who is able and who is not.
This situation needs to be gone about very cautiously as some may view it as cruel like the article points out, that this working group may just be trying to slave these disabled men or women away, to get them to earn their own money instead of from social welfare. People may also believe that this working group is just trying to fill minimum pay jobs with disabled people. Furthermore many companies should not be forced to take on a disabled person if they are not qualified for the job but others may see it as plain old discrimination. That they did not get the job because they are disabled but just like any other regular applicant, if you do not meet the required qualifications, the job will not be given to you. This article is basically proving that with the right accommodation’s, qualifications and with the proper circumstances for these disabled people, that they have the same right to work as anybody else and should be given equal rights.
“That is a common story for the disabled, who are underrepresented in the private-sector but overrepresented in the public. The federal government hopes that by engaging with the private sector, and studying the best practices of those companies that have achieved success in giving real, meaningful employment to those with disabilities, this disparity may be eliminated. A Canadian with a disability has every right to a government job for which they are qualified, of course. But public-sector work shouldn’t be their only option due to private sector resistance” (Gurney, 2012).
“While an estimated 650,000 of that total is totally unable to work due to their disabilities, that means that the overwhelming majority, 3.7 million, are able to work in some capacity” (Gurney, 2012). One problem with today’s society involving the disabled is that there are too broad of boundaries to decide who is able or disabled. On a personal level I have seen and know men or women who claim to be disabled in more of a physical matter then mental, who are assisted by our government wrongly for there short coming’s and personal dilemmas. On the other hand I also know a man who by the governments guidelines is disabled, who earns his keep everyday while excelling past his pears. I agree with this article in respects to the fact of ridding discrimination and giving the physically disabled an equal right for employment if able and qualified for the position.
Gurney, M. (2012, July 30). Every Canadian, even the disabled, deserves the chance for a job. National Post. Retrieved from http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/07/30/matt-gurney-every-canadian-even-the-disabled-deserves-the-chance-for-a-job/
- Alysha
I completely agree with what you are saying. I believe that a person with disabilities in the workforce has just as much of a right to work as anyone else. Just because a person is disabled does not mean they will fill all of the minimum wage jobs, those jobs may just fit their circumstances and qualification. I believe that any person with disabilities is capable of achieving whatever job they wish however, it has to be under the right circumstances, and qualifications just like anyone else. If they are qualified for a position, they should have the same privileges as anyone else would have when being considered for a job. When it comes to being capable of doing a job or not, I think it should primarily be up to the person with the disability because they are able to say what they can and cannot do. I have had many people tell me that the disabled sometimes make the best employees, and I believe this to be true.
ReplyDelete- Kahli (Physcial Disabilities Group).
Really good entry! Off what Kahli said, I also agree with you to. I feel that if you don't have the proper, lets say education then you shouldn't get the job. Everyone should be treated equally and if you don't have the right accommodations for the job then you shouldn't be hired. I could see how you would have to take this new act cautiously because some people could feel discriminated, or others could feel that is is discrimination but overall I feel as if you need to meet certain criteria and you can't then you shouldn't be hired. If it's just a little job and the companies aren't hiring people who are disabled then there is a problem. But overall if a person who has a disability can work the position they applied for than thats great! Everyone is capable.
ReplyDeleteHunter
I also agree. People with disabilities should be equally considered when applying to a job posting. Whether they are considered disabled or not, should not weigh against the qualifications they may have for that position. I would hope that there is a government program that would assist people with disabilities to adjust to new employment or to develop skills they may not yet have, if there are such programs I am unaware.
ReplyDeleteI have been to a few places that encourage and welcome this populations work. These places of employment are privately owned shops, they actually train the disabled if they have not worked before and create a caring and safe work environment for this population to learn and develop new skills, and take on new challenges they are ready for.
-Denise
I also fully agree with you. My mom has worked with disabled people my whole life and so I have been able to get to know several. For those living in group homes allowing them to work gives them a sense of freedom, a way to escape the house as well as do something and earn for themselves. It also gives them basic skills. Most of the people I have come in contact with work simple part time jobs at a Tim Horton or Movie Theatre but it gives them great joy, and as a consumer always makes me smile to see this. I disagree with those who believe it is cruel...yes it can be given the extent of their disability but I feel it depends on the job and the person. If someone is disable and wants to work they should be given the same opportunities (within reason) as anyone else. Great post.
ReplyDeleteErica