As we move closer and closer to what will be a more equal society for all – even if it doesn’t
always feel like it – the hope is that there will be a closing of the gaps between disabled and
non-disabled individuals. Everybody is entitled to the same quality of life – regardless of their
physical or mental condition. However, in terms of wages, this ideal is very far from the truth of
things.
A recent report has actually found evidence to the contrary; the wage gap between disabled and
non-disabled workers is higher now than it was ten years ago, with non-disabled individuals
earning, on average, 15% more.
A recent study was conducted in the UK which found that the average gap for the two groups on
a weekly basis was £1.90ph, which results in a £67 disparity on a weekly basis, totalling some
£3500 each year.
The study also found that there were different pay gaps within specific industries. The largest
pay gaps were reported in the financial and industrial sectors. Interestingly, and concerningly,
the analysis also showed that disabled BME workers faced the hardest challenges in terms of
simply securing employment – never mind wage gaps – with 10.4% of disabled BME workers
unemployed in comparison to just 2% of white disabled workers.
As disability support providers Gold Coast, we are deeply disappointed in these figures and
suspect that this disparity will persist in many western parts of the world. There is a concerning
pattern of thinking within the world of business that disabled workers are somehow entitled to
less money and less support, neither of which are true. It is important to be able to get the same
benefits from employment regardless of who you are, which includes proper and fair wages.
After all, a disabled person has the same bills to pay as a non-disabled person – utilities, rent,
food – but they may also have extra costs which tie into their disability. Specific transportation or
living aids often require ongoing maintenance or regular payments, so to have a wage gap is
simply unfair and illogical.
If we are going to see any great strides taken for disabled people then this does need to be an
area which we need to focus our efforts upon resolving. After all, this type of disparity within the
world of work isn’t just about wages. It points to the mentality of the corporate world, and how
those people at the highest positions of power view people with disabilities – as less, and
deserving of less.
This is the stereotype and mentality we must tackle. It is only by doing this that we can have any
hope of making meaningful change. Disabled workers can offer just as much, if not more than
non-disabled workers, and until such a time as we recognise this, we will continue live in a world
which is lessened, because we do not appreciate the true value of the workforce we have.