Leviticus 19:14 “’Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.’”

Among the 2 million+ people traveling with Moses were some disabled people. No doubt they made the 1,000 mile walk more difficult. The blind would have to depend on their families and neighbors. The deaf with their challenges could easily be considered a nuisance to those around them. Special consideration would be expected when they arrived in the Promised Land. They were to be treated cordially and carefully because God cares for them.

Principle: Hire the disabled if possible – at least give them fair hearing.

Disabled people often have very special abilities to contribute. Suleyman Gokyigit, a young blind man, is among the top computer technicians and programmers at Intelidata Technologies Corp, a software company. He uses his voice synthesizer at top speed, and he can locate connectors, pins and wires much faster by touch than most people can by sight. Much of his programming speed comes from his ability to block out distractions while at the computer. Gokyigit, who was a computer science engineering major, says “the computer permits me to reach out into the world and do almost anything I want to do.”

Larger companies have more flexibility in hiring the disabled. The Americans with Disabilities Act forbids discrimination by employers in companies with over 15 employees. It’s interesting that the government should legislate something which is God-ordained.

It’s time for Christian-owned businesses to step up to the challenge of hiring and honoring disabled people and demonstrate how to do it with grace, mercy and wisdom.

Discussion:

1. In a company your size, which of the following disabilities would make an applicant difficult to employ, and why? Blind – deaf – wheelchair bound – limb loss.

2. What circumstances in your company would make hiring a disabled employee difficult?

3. What problems have you or others you know experienced when having a disabled employee?