On the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, there is much to be celebrated. People with disabilities now have better access to businesses, buildings, state and local government programs and services — including higher education, as well as increased opportunities for competitive employment.

People with disabilities encompass a broad range of individuals with cognitive, psychological and physical disabilities in all age groups. They are your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members. We have come a long way in understanding and accepting the needs of people with disabilities, but there is still much to do.

Although the ADA and technological innovations have increased access to places and programs, working-age people with disabilities are much more likely than people without disabilities to be unemployed and live in poverty.

According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data (the American Community Survey in 2013), there are 20.7 million individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 years (labor force age) living in communities; of those only 34 percent were employed. In contrast, the employment rate of people without disabilities was 74.2 percent. This equals a 36 percent gap in employment between those with disabilities and those without.

During the same period in Hawaii (2013), of the 64,795 people with disabilities, 39.1 percent, or 25,344 people were employed.

Studies have indicated that people with disabilities are dependable, loyal and hard-working employees. Historically, there has been a lack of opportunity due to long-held misconceptions that are just not true. In many cases, employers have selected their non-disabled counterparts for positions in which a disabled candidate was equally qualified to perform. There often was no logical reason for this bias other than the disability.

With the advancement of laws designed to break down the barriers to employment and social inclusion, people with disabilities remain a large untapped resource of talent for the workforce. More and more are pursuing college degrees and specialized training in order to be prepared to enter the workforce as strong, competitive job candidates. We encourage employers to seize the opportunity to not only find quality workers, but to add to the diversity of their companies.

In Hawaii, the spirit of aloha accepts and embraces people of different cultures and ethnicities. Communities are richer when everyone is included. What most of us want is to live a life in our community of choice, with a home, a job, friends and a sense of belonging and support to achieve the things that are important to us. People with disabilities are no different than anyone else.

This aloha spirit, and diversity, is reflected in the makeup of Lanakila Pacific’s staff and trainees, of which 43 percent are people with disabilities. Our employees who exemplify the qualities of dependability and attention to detail include Jose (who has low-vision), who works in our Custom Products enterprise. Upon completing Lanakila Pacific’s training program, he was hired full time because of his mastery of the embroidery machine. He now trains others on jobs at Custom Products.

Hawaii is in a unique position to meet the ever-growing needs of all diversified classes in our community, because we already have the culture of embracing our individual and ethnic differences.

Embrace the spirit of inclusion. Persons with disabilities desire the same opportunity as others, and bring a unique perspective to the work place. Hawaii has a golden opportunity to be the first truly diversified and inclusive community through our extension of the aloha spirit.