Work is more than a paycheck. It gives people purpose and independence. It helps them build connections. But for many people with IDD, myths and stereotypes get in the way of getting jobs. It’s time to break those myths about IDD and employment!

Cynthia Burrow is the owner of Strategic Education Solutions (SES). James Meadours is SES’s Advocacy and Outreach Lead. They have worked together for many years. Together, they are building the Self-Advocate Network. In this post, they share their thoughts about three common myths.

IDD and Employment Myths

Myth 1: People with IDD can’t work.

Cynthia: This is just not true. Many people with IDD have skills. They are reliable and eager to contribute. Sometimes they might need the right support and training. But they can succeed in many different jobs. I can’t imagine SES without James’ talents and skills. We could never build what we’re building without him!

James: Each person has unique skills and perspectives. People make assumptions and have biases about people with IDD. I had an employer who did not give me a chance to show my potential. The next boss I had saw that I was hungry for work and that I took pride in the work. He let me be who I could be. It’s about finding that person’s talents.

Myth 2: Hiring someone with IDD costs too much.

Cynthia: Most workplace accommodations are low-cost or free. In fact, they often work well for everyone. For example, we let everyone communicate in the ways that work for them. That could be chat or text. It could be Zoom meetings. Offering lots of options means everyone gets their needs met. And it’s easy to do, too. We do pay a support person to help James on some tasks. But we are paid back ten-fold with the energy and visibility he brings to SES. 

James: For me, I do a lot of work on emotional topics. So it’s important to know when my energy is wiped out and I need time to recover. This helps me stay strong for the long term. I also have a partner who is my support person. They don’t do my work for me, but we work as a team to do what we need to do for our projects.

Myth 3: People with IDD can only do simple tasks.

Cynthia: Well, that’s baloney. People with IDD have many talents, just like all workers. Having low expectations holds them back. It can also hold back businesses. Imagine if I had hired James and said, “You sit in the audience. I’ll do the speaking.” His ideas and passion are why our work gets noticed.

James: I did a keynote speech at the AAIDD conference in Texas. I thought about what life should look like for people with disabilities. I thought about why it’s so important to think about “we” and not “I” to work together. I also try to get the feeling in the room, at the time. That just comes spontaneously sometimes.

Cynthia: By the way, he got a standing ovation. I don’t have that—whatever that is. I don’t have the experience or skill to win a room the way James does. That’s no simple task.

Building the IDD Workforce

Breaking these myths opens doors. Employers can focus on skills instead of stereotypes. They build stronger and more inclusive teams. Supporting the IDD workforce is not charity. It’s smart business.

Why It Matters

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This is a time to celebrate the skills workers with IDD have. It’s time to push for more equal chances in the workplace. Employment is dignity. Everyone deserves the chance to grow and succeed.

Want to Learn More?

By overcoming stereotypes, we can build a workforce where people with IDD are seen for their strengths, not their limits.