Advocate, Alumnus Dispels Myths About Hiring Individuals with Disabilities

Alumnus Rob Oliver, advocate for the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, set out to dispel myths about hiring individuals with disabilities as the keynote speaker at the 7th annual Disability Awareness Luncheon on Oct. 10.

Oliver—who suffered a spinal cord injury when he was 21 that left him paralyzed from the chest down with limited use of his arms and hands—described his disabilities as a barrier that is no different than those everybody faces. “This is part of the human condition,” said Oliver. “But just because one person’s limitations are more obvious than another’s doesn’t make them that different from you.”

During his remarks, Oliver noted that employees with disabilities are rarely absent and demonstrate great loyalty but that getting into the door can be challenging—literally. He discussed being interviewed in parking lots by companies unable to accommodate his wheelchair. Oliver also said he has dealt with potential employers who thought hiring him would be too expensive when, as he pointed out, it typically costs less than $500 to accommodate 97 percent of disabled workers.

In drawing from his life experiences, Oliver reminded those at the luncheon to focus on the person and their strengths and not on what some may perceive as a weakness.

Oliver is a popular motivational speaker and recently completed his autobiography, Still Walking.

The Disability Awareness Luncheon is sponsored by the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity and the Office of Mission and Identity.