Disability is a natural part of the human experience and social workers play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. A common refrain is that 1 in 4 US adults can expect to be out of work for at least a year because of a disabling condition before they reach the usual retirement age.
Despite progress, there are still significant barriers to disability inclusion within the social work profession and within society overall. There is currently (August 2023) a pending proposal to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to create a National Committee on Disability to address disability related priorities and foster a more inclusive and accessible social work landscape, ultimately enhancing the overall well-being and quality of the profession. This article explores the need for action at a national scale to address the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. (Click here to learn more about the campaign for a National Committee on Disability)
Within the profession, there are many opportunities for advancing disability inclusion in social work academic programs, employment and associations.
In academic programs, while many institutions strive for inclusivity, disability inclusion and equity is still a low program priority. Additionally, one study reported less than 15% of social work students with disabilities received field placement accommodations and faculty are not often considering Universal Design principles in their course creation.
In employment, the 2022 national labor force participation rate for people with disabilities was 21%, compared to 65% for people without disabilities which highlights the barriers that disabled people face in employment. Employers show a limited capacity for accommodating individual ways of working and the high rates of burnout in the social work profession have the opportunity to disproportionately impact social workers with disabilities.
In social work associations, data on the prevalence of disability within social work is not collected. There are multiple barriers to licensure for social workers with disabilities and only 4 of the 55 NASW Chapters have groups focused on disability. Additionally, NASW has 3 existing bylaws-mandated diversity related committees (the National Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity, the National Committee on Women’s Issues and the National Committee on LGBTQ+ Issues) and adding a committed space to explicitly address disability priorities would set a strong precedent for social workers nationwide.
Disability as Diversity
While strides have been made in acknowledging the varying dimensions of diversity, disability is still often overlooked in diversity initiatives and conversations, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in how we perceive and approach inclusivity.
Just as identities related to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and age contribute to the rich tapestry of diversity, disability equally adds depth and complexity to the spectrum of diversity. However, disability tends to be relegated to the periphery of diversity discussions. This stems from a combination of factors, including societal stigmas, limited awareness, and a historical focus on physical ability as a measure of human worth.
By overlooking disability, we inadvertently perpetuate a cycle of exclusion, depriving our communities of the valuable perspectives and skills that individuals with disabilities bring to the table.
The concept of disability as diversity represents a broader approach to inclusivity and a broader understanding of human experiences.
The concept of disability as diversity represents a broader approach to inclusivity and a broader understanding of human experiences. By recognizing and embracing disability within diversity discussions, we can create environments that celebrate the multifaceted nature of humanity, recognize intersectionality, break down the barriers that have historically excluded individuals with disabilities and truly uphold the principles of equity and inclusion.
Add Your Support
At the time of this writing, the proposal for NASW to create the National Committee on Disability is currently pending review. By creating this committee, NASW has the opportunity to lead the way for a more inclusive and empowering environment for both social workers and their clients with disabilities.
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