Enabling the disabled

In 1974, Congress passed Public Law 93-516, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, and in 1975, Public Law 94-142, the Education of All Handicapped Children Act. The spirit of both laws is to bring people with physical or mental impairments into the mainstream of American life. At school, dealing with a fear of disability and adjusting to the special needs of others is to become part of everyone's education. At work, the handicapped are to have a fair chance to do the jobs they are qualified for, and employers are to make reasonable accommodations to their handicapped employees' needs. Many companies have taken up the spirit of these laws. The authors describe how clear job descriptions and practical adjustments have made their rehabilitation and hiring programs work. The success of these programs offers encouragement to companies that are just starting out in such efforts.