THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION DESERVE MUCH APPLAUSE – by Dianna Tafazoli
There has been a push in this country for quite some time now to hire the disabled and give them a fair and equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and make much needed contributions to society. The disabled have always been a part of our society and we have seen times when the disabled were relegated to the basements of society, ostracized leaving them to depend on the largess of family and friends.
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodation, transportation, communications and governmental activities. The number of disabled people has increased dramatically due to two wars – Iraq and Afghanistan. The number of young men and women who came home disabled from those two wars required the country to become more vigilant in its push to promote and support the hiring of disabled people.
Disabled people are not shadows in the dark. They are not the unknown. They are the men and women who have made great sacrifices to preserve, protect and defend the United States of America. They have lost life and limb to keep the rest of us safe. The Federal Government is the largest employer in the United States and many disabled persons are a part of the federal workforce.  It is an effort to be applauded when the Federal Government leads the charge to hire the disabled.
Recently, a report came out that highlighted the federal agency that employed the greatest number of disabled personnel. The agency earning that coveted distinction is the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  There are countless young Veterans who have come home with injuries ranging from moderate to severe with many still able to perform a job function. They are a part of the disabled population who are capable of making significant contributions to the American workforce.
Diversity in the workforce includes hiring the disabled. The VA is doing a good job in hiring the disabled in the Federal government. The VA hired 6,680 employees under the All Disability category of employment which represents 23.6 percent of its workforce.  Although the numbers are impressive and are to be applauded, the Federal government must do more to include disabled people as part of its diversity efforts.  Many Federal agencies failed to hire even a single disabled person during 2014. If the Federal government does not set the example to hire the disabled in all Federal agencies then what message is being sent to employers everywhere?  Always Remember to Share What You Know.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
