Hawaiians with disabilities struggle to find work
April 30th, 2009From the Honolulu Advertiser:
People with disabilities, who have traditionally suffered significantly higher unemployment rates than typical workers, are now finding themselves shut out of basic, entry-level employment in Hawaii. Making matters worse: state budget cuts are cutting funds from the vocational programs that people with disabilities need to prepare themselves for the workplace.
“When the economy is bad, the impact is usually felt most by anyone on the fringe or anyone in a marginalized group that needs extra support or assistance,” said Robert Stodden, director of the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies.
Even when the economy improves, Stodden said, the disruption in vocational training will cause long-term employment difficulties for people with disabilities.
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