Our mission here at Vocational Solutions of Henderson County is to prepare adults with disabilities to maximize their independence. We have been working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for many years, teaching them essential life skills to help them do more for themselves, as well as vocational skills to help them enter the workforce. Over the years, we have encountered a variety of myths about adults with disabilities, so we have put together this article to dispel some of the most harmful of these ideas.

Myth: All adults with intellectual disabilities are severely impaired. Many non-disabled people assume that every adult with an intellectual/developmental disability must be severely impaired and unable to work or live independently. In reality, there is a vast spectrum of severity when it comes to these kinds of disabilities, and 85% of those affected by them are only moderately impaired. This means most people with cognitive disabilities can be educated at inclusive schools, participate in sports, and enter the workforce.
Myth: Adults with disabilities should not work alongside non-disabled employees. In our experience, many non-disabled people support the idea of employment for disabled adults but don’t want to include them in their own workplaces. Our team believes that having adults with and without disabilities work together promotes a more welcoming, positive work environment for everyone.
Myth: Adults with disabilities can’t get married or start families. Many adults with disabilities live independently, hold jobs, and, yes, fall in love and marry just as non-disabled adults do. Our team does our best to equip our students with the necessary skills to maximize their independence, and we support their ability to form relationships and start families if they choose.