The accommodation of people with disabilities in the workplaces of the nation is an essential component to the future success of this economy. The demography of the workplace and the demographic indicators of PWA indicate that it is in both the fiscal interests of the country, as well as for our long - term ethical health, to accommodate the workplace needs and aspirations of PWA.
The presence of a legislative framework to guide the Judicial Branch at all three jurisdictional levels is essential to combat the prejudices and ignorance that pervade the workplace and assault PWA in all aspects of their lives. Unfortunately, the weaknesses of relying solely upon the legislative and judicial branches of government to remedy this ignorance and fear are obvious. The cost and time involved in civil litigation make it difficult for a healthy person, let alone one suffering from a potentially life threatening illness, to move all the way through the appeals process.
The most effective way to deal with the issue of workplace accommodation of PWA is through education. While it could be argued that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has occupied a disproportionate position on the national stage, the potential economic costs, inside and outside the healthcare sector demand that all necessary steps be taken to eliminate the walls of ignorance faced by PWA in today's workplace. Further education, ideally through the public school system, the mass media and of course the workplace, buttressed by an enhanced legislative framework, will, over time, go a long way towards eliminating this tragedy from the workplaces of our country.