No Name, Disabled Americans mark milestone as crisis deepens job woes

[Image]( EMAIL}/redirect Posted on Saturday, July 25th, 2020 By Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press The Americans With Disabilities Act was a major turning point in opening large parts of U.S. society to disabled people, but three decades after its passage disabled workers still face higher unemployment than other adults -- a problem compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. Sunday marks 30 years since the ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush with wide bipartisan support. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in areas such as employment, transportation and public accommodations. In practice, that’s meant everything from usable public bathrooms to seats in movie theaters and access to public schools. “The historically dominant view was that it was an individual problem that each person or family had to cope with on their own,” said Douglas Kruse, an economist at Rutgers University who began using a wheelchair after a drunk driver crashed into him in 1990. “The ADA represented a shift in perspective that a lot of the problems with disability are more societal and environmental.” That’s led to something simple but crucial: visibility. “It’s not uncommon to see people with wheelchairs or blind people out doing what they need to do, or want to do, in cities or in restaurants,” said his wife Lisa Schur, a political scientist at Rutgers who studies disability and employment. “Before the ADA, it was unusual. People would be stared at. Now it’s more accepted.” The law was a hard-fought milestone that came after years of work from disabled people and their supporters, said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc, which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nevertheless, “the reality still is, people with disabilities are subject to pervasive discrimination in employment and many aspects of life, so the work of the ADA is not done.” When it comes to employment, things were looking up in the booming June 2019 economy before the coronavirus hit. Still, the unemployment rate was nearly 8% — double that of other workers — even though a large majority said in surveys they can and want to work, Kruse said. Those who are employed often hold low-level jobs in industries like food service, home health care and janitorial work. EMAIL}/redirect EMAIL}/redirect “It really seems to be last hired, first fired,” Schur said. “Even 30 years after the ADA, there’s still a lot of employer reluctance.” The situation has gotten worse during the pandemic. The entire country is reeling from record unemployment and widespread layoffs as large sectors of the economy essentially shut down to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but it’s even more pronounced among disabled people. In June 2020, the unemployment rate for disabled people rose to 16.5%, compared to 11% for workers without a disability, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The ranks of the newly unemployed include Patrice Jetter of Hamilton, New Jersey. She applied to be a crossing guard every year for 12 years before she was first hired in 1993. Jetter, who has cerebral palsy and partial hearing loss, wanted to work with kids when graduating from high school, but had little preparation for taking her SATs in special education classes, so her scores weren’t high enough for college. She finally got her job after writing to the newly elected mayor. She walked to work every day, even when snow kept her driving colleagues at home. She loved joking with the elementary school kids who passed her with a vest and stop sign and wishing a good day to the drivers going past — including one woman who changed her route to work because Jetter’s smiles and waves brightened her morning. “Once you’ve been a crossing guard, it’s in you. You’re never happy doing something else,” she said. But in March, Jetter, 56, and the rest of the crossing guards in Hamilton were laid off since the pandemic had shut down schools and kids weren’t crossing the street. “I remember there were nights I didn’t sleep I was so worried about falling behind on bills,” she said. She’s gotten by so far with help applying for benefits like unemployment and rent reductions and finding ways to pool her resources with other disabled friends. She’s also been able to wear a mask and return to practicing her Special Olympics sport of skating, where the leg problems caused by the disease fade away as she glides along the ice. But it’s still unclear whether schools will be able to reopen and allow her job to restart in the fall. She’s worried about returning to the job market with a rush of other people also looking for work, many of whom won’t have to deal with discrimination she’s encountered over the years as a disabled Black woman. EMAIL}/redirect EMAIL}/redirect Still, she’s got her optimism, ingenuity and determination on her side. “The ADA has opened more doors for people with disabilities,” she said. “There’s still a lot more that has to be worked on, but if we keep plugging away things are going to get better and better.” Advocates with groups such as The Arc are also pushing Congress to add more funding through Medicaid in the next coronavirus aid package for things like job coaches and transportation to help people such as Jetter get back to jobs that can help them live independently and be more connected to their community. The pandemic has meant millions of people are working from home, with accommodations that some disabled people have long been denied. It’s shown that workers can be productive from home, though for those gains to translate effectively to the disabled community, access must be increased to the education and computers that make those careers possible, the professors said. “There may be a silver living," Kruse said. "Maybe this will shake up the view of how work can be done.” EMAIL}/redirect EMAIL}/redirect To get Exclusive Offers make sure you grab your cellphone (which you are probably doing right now) and join our VIP text messaging list (standard text and messaging rates may apply)to make it even easier, if you are on your cell phone now click this Button Below: [SIGN ME UP NOW]( © 2020 PTE.la PTE, LLC (publisher of PTE.la) is NOT registered as an investment adviser nor a broker/dealer with either the U. S. Securities & Exchange Commission or any state securities regulatory authority. Users of this website are advised that all information presented on this website is solely for informational purposes, is not intended to be used as a personalized investment recommendation, and is not attuned to any specific portfolio or to any user's particular investment needs or objectives. Past performance is NOT indicative of future results. Furthermore, such information is not to be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor is it to be construed as a recommendation to buy, hold or sell (short or otherwise) any security. All users of this website must determine for themselves what specific investments to make or not make and are urged to consult with their own independent financial advisors with respect to any investment decision. The reader bears responsibility for his/her own investment research and decisions, should seek the advice of a qualified securities professional before making any investment, and investigate and fully understand any and all risks before investing. All opinions, analyses and information included on this website are based on sources believed to be reliable and written in good faith, but should be independently verified, and no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, is made, including but not limited to any representation or warranty concerning accuracy, completeness, correctness, timeliness or appropriateness. In addition, we undertake no responsibility to notify such opinions, analyses or information or to keep such opinions, analyses or information current. Also be aware that owners, employees and writers of and for PTE, LLC may have long or short positions in securities that may be discussed on this website or newsletter. Past results are not indicative of future profits. This table is accurate, though not every trade is represented. Profits and losses reported are simulated figures from virtual simulated portfolios. We are engaged in the business of advertising and promoting companies for monetary compensation. All content in our releases is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. Neither the information presented nor any statement or expression of opinion, or any other matter herein, directly or indirectly constitutes a solicitation of the purchase or sale of any securities. PTE.la’s sponsored advertisements do not purport to provide an analysis of any company’s financial position, operations or prospects and this is not to be construed as are commendation by PTE.la or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Neither the owner of PTE.la nor any of its members, officers, directors, contractors or employees is licensed broker-dealers, account representatives, market makers, investment bankers, investment advisors, analyst or underwriters. Investing in securities, including the securities of those companies profiled or discussed on this website is for individuals tolerant of high risks. Viewers should always consult with alicensed securities professional before purchasing or selling any securities of companies profiled or discussed in our releases. It is possible that a viewer’s entire investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled. Remember, never invest in any security of a company profiled or discussed in a release or on our website unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. Also, investing in micro-cap securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. To review our complete disclaimer and additional information, please visit . PTE.la makes no recommendation that the securities of the companies profiled or discussed in our releases or on our website should be purchased, sold or held by investors. PTE.la is owned and operated by PTE LLC. PTE LLC has not been compensated for this specific email, we do have advertisements in this email that we get paid if you click one of the ads (we have not investigated any of the advertisements). Any compensation received by PTE LLC constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. A third party of PTE LLC may have shares and may liquidate, which may negatively affect the stock price. PTE LLC affiliates may at any time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice which will negatively affect the market. Some of the content in this release contains forward - looking information within the meaning of Section 27 A of the Securities Act of 1 9 9 3 and Section 21 E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1 9 3 4 including statements regarding expected continual growth of the profiled company and the value of its securities. In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 it is hereby noted that statements contained herein that look forward in time which include everything other than historical information, involve risk and uncertainties that may affect a company's actual results of operation. A company's actual performance could greatly differ from those described in any forward - looking statements or announcements mentioned in this release. Factors that should be considered that could cause actual results to differ include: the size and growth of the market for the company's products; the company's ability to fund its capital requirements in the near term and in the long term; pricing pressures; unforeseen and/or unexpected circumstances in happenings; etc. and the risk factors and other factors set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, acompany’s past performance does not guarantee future results. Generally, the information regarding a company profiled is provided from public sources which we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed by us as being accurate. Further specific financial information, filings and disclosures as well as general investor information about the profiled company, advice to investors and other investor resources are available at the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) website www.sec.gov and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) website at www.finra.org. Any investment should be made only after consulting with a qualified investment advisor and reviewing the publicly available financial statement and other information about the company profiled and verifying that the investment is appropriate and suitable. PTE.la makes no representations, warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided or discussed. Viewers should not rely solely on the information obtained in this release or on our website. PTE Team 9 Downing street Newark NJ 07105 USA [Unsubscribe]( | [Change Subscriber Options](