People with disabilities are celebrated as assets of the workforce

Through a return to employment, many amputees find an increased sense of independence and a return to normalcy. We celebrate those individuals and their efforts.

Companies are becoming more aware of the perspectives and contributions made by their employees who have disabilities. Through this awareness, there has been a growing movement to make hiring practices more inclusive. Of course, we want to encourage this practice and join with these business owners and professionals in spreading awareness of all those resilient people contributing to the workforce despite their disabilities, particularly those who have suffered limb loss.

For many, having a disability can feel ostracising , especially physical handicaps. Amputations also have the obvious physical limitations that can be difficult to overcome. “For me, returning to work was a great concern. I had no idea how my work performance would be affected and more importantly, how I would be accepted with my prosthetic,” shares Adam Irwin, an amputee that uses Blatchford’s ElanIC to work. “I was so relieved to discover how my prosthetic gave me the support I needed for a day’s work. And it gave my colleagues the confidence to work alongside me. Life feels very normal now that I have included work in my day-to-day.”

Through a variety of awareness campaigns and opportunities, we can celebrate our friends who are contributing to the workforce despite their handicaps. Their accomplishments encourage employers to have more inclusive hiring practices and to implement a culture of inclusivity in their workplace. These campaigns help those who have felt marginalised achieve another level of normalcy in their everyday lives. As a result, companies gain greater opportunities to find employees with unique perspectives, character, and integrity.

If you’re currently looking for a new job as an amputee, you may find help right at home. For example, many of the states in the US participate in awareness campaigns by organising job fairs to help connect those with disabilities to prospective employers. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has a website full of resources and ongoing events for those interested in learning more. For those in the UK, The Work and Health Programme (WHP), which operates primarily in England and Wales is designed to help individuals with disabilities to enter and stay in work. Their website offers guidelines for seeking employment and additional support on how to apply.

Alternatively, if you’re enjoying your current career path, there’s plenty of opportunities to participate in continuing education programmes. By searching through your local health care institutions or colleges, you might find some courses to help improve marketable skills or simply refresh your standing knowledge. These pursuits can make your job easier, impress your boss, or should the time come to move on, they can work to bolster your resume.

Whether you’re an employer considering more diversity in the workforce, or a prospective employee looking for a new opportunity, support and awareness are key to driving change. We encourage you to spread the word and soon enough, people will find themselves contributing to even more growth in raising awareness through their friends and community. This in turn ensures that employers and employees join in to recognise the efforts of those that are amputees who are helping in the workforce. We thank you for your contributions and applaud your efforts as you continue your good work.