COLUMN: Workers with disabilities a ready pool for Salem employers

Several hundred persons aged 16 and older with disabilities are actively looking for work in the city of Salem, according to the American Community Survey (of the U.S. Census.

Why, with a strong economy and more job openings than job seekers, are hundreds of persons with disabilities unemployed?

Let’s try to answer this question.

First, we’ll describe some characteristics of the population of persons with disabilities, and discuss employment and unemployment. Then, we’ll take a…