For all its efforts, however, the employment rate has stubbornly resisted much growth over the years. The figure is stunning in a nation that is supposed to be surging ahead economically at near full employment. With some fanfare, the President announced a new presidential task force on employment of adults with disabilities. This task force, with representatives from several departments of the government, is supposed to tackle this persistent problem over the next four years and come up with some solutions. But they've got their work cut out for them.
Disability is still a hard sell.
A year or so ago, a poll reported that employers supported the Americans with Disabilities Act and welcomed the opportunity to employ persons with disabilities. No doubt some employers are hiring qualified people with disabilities, but the continuing high jobless rate among people with disabilities made more than a few skeptics raise an eyebrow about that poll. Nonetheless, the ADA is making a difference for people with disabilities. But it is better. It is easier to get around town and into public places.