It is easy to see that someone in a wheelchair has a disability, and workplaces are becoming much better at making accommodations for them. But what about people whose disability doesn't show? Chronic illnesses like heart disease, lupus, or diabetes aren't visible to others. Neither are mental illnesses like depression or anxiety. Because of this, it's much more difficult for these workers to get the support they need.
According to a study by the Center for Talent Innovation in 2017, 30% of white-collar professionals had a disability. Some 62% were invisible disabilities. Only 3% of those surveyed told their employers and colleagues about their condition. The other 97% feared discrimination due to their condition, and they were right to be afraid. Discrimination in hiring is commonplace. In France, a study showed that only 2% of those who disclosed a disability on a job application were hired, and in the U.K., 17% reported having a job offer withdrawn. If a person is actually hired, they're much less likely to be promoted as quickly as their colleagues without disabilities.
Globally, about 1 billion people have a disability of some sort. That's 1 in 7 people on the planet. New developments in digital technology are opening up the world of work to those with a variety of challenges. There's a huge market of under-used workers just waiting to be tapped.
