Certifications Level the Playing Field for the Physically Disabled

Deanna Hartley

Sure, you're familiar with surrogate pregnancies, but have you heard of surrogate test-takers? That's one of the ways a leading provider of certifications accommodates physically disabled individuals, allowing them a chance to leverage their skills in today's competitive job market.

Certiport accommodates physically disabled individuals in several ways.

It offers features such as voice-recognition software to administer tests; it allows test assistants or surrogates to be present and carry out instructions one click at a time; it provides separate, larger rooms; and it can extend regular testing times to accommodate the specific needs of test-takers on a case-by-case basis.

With these accommodations, Certiport's variety of certifications - from Microsoft Office to the Adobe Creative Suite - is ideal for physically disabled individuals looking to make themselves more marketable. The certifications can help disabled individuals either change careers or add digital skills to open up new employment opportunities.

"[Certiport makes] sure the opportunities we make available to the workforce are ubiquitous," said David Saedi, president and CEO of Certiport. "Regardless of language, age, gender and disability, [the company ensures] people who have capabilities have the maximum opportunity to show themselves [to employers] in the best light."

While the unemployment rate for the general population is between 4 and 5 percent, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 70 percent. Meanwhile, according to the National Organization on Disability, two out of three people with disabilities who are currently unemployed would prefer to work.

Gregory Cornell, a former construction company owner, was racing BMX bicycles when he crashed and broke his neck seven years ago, requiring him to have 24-hour personal medical care, breathing assistance and feeding tubes.

Being paralyzed from the neck down hasn't stopped Cornell from developing his technical skills to maximize his marketability. Certiport provided Cornell with Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice-recognition software that enabled him to get a Microsoft Office Specialist certification. He is now certified in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

So what do individuals with physical disabilities do with their certifications? A typical industry they tend to pursue is instruction, Saedi said. "[For] these people who have been through traumatic situations, the transfer of knowledge in any format becomes important, and a [corresponding] career would be an instruction program," he said.

Those who wish to pursue regular careers seek out companies or corporations that make accommodations for physically disabled individuals, such as accommodating people with wheelchairs, ensuring comfortably sized cubicles, etc.

It's important to remove the physical barriers for people with disabilities because their skills and knowledge, as verified through their credentials and certifications, can help them achieve the same outcomes the business expects of everyone else, Saedi said.

One thing HR professionals and talent managers should be aware of is though exams may be administered differently to accommodate physically disabled individuals, the content remains the same. It verifies the skills and capabilities of physically disabled individuals the same way it does for everyone.

So if a company is looking to create a more inclusive environment conducive to disabled individuals, these globally recognized credentials can enhance their productivity and value in the workforce.

"[Physically disabled individuals] build their own confidence and self-respect and exercise their ability not only to help themselves but become useful members of the business community," Saedi said.