Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A recent study done by the University of Illinois Springfield, shows that not only do disabled employees tend to get paid less than non-disabled employees, in reality, they should make the same wage considering that they are just as capable to handle the job at hand as any other employee. However, a wage gap still remains in most cases, likely based on the assumption that those with special needs can’t meet job demands like an employee without special needs.

Sid Upadhyay, UIS Associate Professor in the College of Business and Management, spoke on the WTAX Morning Newswatch about their recent study and explained some of the key findings from the research, as well as some facts about those with disabilities in the workplace.

“One of the key findings of the study is that people with disabilities are capable of meeting the jobs demands same as people without disabilities. Any job has certain demands. There may be time demands with deadlines, or physical demands such as in construction where you have to stand for a few hours. People assume that people with disabilities may not be able to meet those demands, but that’s not true at all,” Upadhyay said.

Some of the issues in workplace performance may actually have more to do with confidence in the employee’s self instead of the individuals select capabilities. When somebody feels like they are doing a great job and didn’t require much help or insight on how to do the job, it can feel empowering and boost self-confidence.

This is why despite when most people see a fellow coworker struggling it’s easy to offer a helping hand without being asked. Offering to help your coworkers is always a polite thing to do. However, by limiting the help we give or even the way we offer the assistance gives the person receiving the help the opportunity to be independent and make them feel more confident in their work. If we offer to help to the extent that we almost do the entire task for them, it may make them feel like not only does the assistant have no faith in their ability to complete that task but also can cause the individual getting your assistance to feel within themselves that they simply cant do said task.

“As human beings we want to help people. The moment we see someone disabled at work we may tendencies to try to help them, but if you over do that, it just reduces their confidence.” said Upadhyay.

An employee with a disability may need a little extra time completing tasks, however the end results and quality of the work done are typically no different than in those who don’t require any accommodations.