• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Business / Harkin says low employment rate a challenge for those with disabilities

Harkin says low employment rate a challenge for those with disabilities

July 14, 2011 By Matt Kelley

The Iowan who led the charge to assure broader civil rights for people with disabilities more than two decades ago says his work in that effort is far from over. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin is marking this month’s 21st anniversary of the landmark legislation he authored, known as the Americans with Disabilities Act, or A.D.A.

Harkin says, “Despite the progress, the harsh reality is that people just really still experience discrimination and one of the toughest challenges we still need to tackle is the persistently low employment rates among Americans with disabilities.” Harkin is chairing a hearing today  of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee which will focus on expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than a third of working-aged people with disabilities are participating in the labor force,” Harkin says. “Put another way, two-thirds of them are unemployed.” Harkin, a Democrat, says the A.D.A. has been a great benefit to millions of people over the past 21 years, but some issues clearly still need tweaking.

“It’s worked in things like accessibility, transportation, building standards,” Harkin says. “It’s worked in all those areas. One place where it’s been so frustrating is in the employment sector.”

The labor bureau report finds the nation’s workforce of people with disabilities is at more than five-million — covering both people who are working and those looking for work. He wants to see that figure at six-million by 2015.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Business, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Democratic Party, Employment and Labor, Tom Harkin

Featured Stories

Exhibit features lesser known works of Grant Wood

Testing finds 21 new CWD cases in deer

It may become a crime in Iowa to use fake urine in workplace drug tests

February trending 18 degrees below average temperature

Iowa House Education Committee votes to end tenure at UI, ISU, UNI

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Drake falls to No. 20 Loyola in MVC Championship

Confusion at MVC Tournament as UNI exits prior to quarterfinal round game

Iowa State looks to avoid winless Big-12 season

New look and new format at girls’ state basketball

Youngstown State takes action against assistant football coach

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC