Common Myths About Disabled Workers

Myth: Hiring employees with disabilities increases
workers’ compensation insurance rates.

Fact: Insurance rates are based on two factors
(1) relative hazards of the operation and the
(2) organization’s accident experience, not
on whether workers have disabilities.

Myth: Employees with disabilities have a higher
absentee rate than employees without disabilities.

Fact: Studies by firms such as DuPont show that
employees with disabilities do NOT have an absentee
rate higher than employees without disabilities.

Myth: Hiring workers with disabilities requires a
considerable business expense.

Fact: Most workers with disabilities require minimal
accommodations and the cost for those who do is
minimal or much lower than many employers
believe. Studies by the Job Accommodation
Network, established by the President’s
Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities
15% cost nothing,
51% cost between $1 and $500,
12% cost between $501 and $1,000,
22% cost more than $1,000.

Myth: Employees with disabilities are more likely to
have a job related accident that non disabled employees.

Fact: In a study by DuPont, the safety records of
both groups were identical.