Employers' Attitudes Towards Hiring and Retaining People with Disabilities: A Review of the Literature

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Burke ◽  
Jill Bezyak ◽  
Robert T. Fraser ◽  
Joseph Pete ◽  
Nicole Ditchman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Work Performance ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Affective Reactions ◽  
Attitudes Toward Disability ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
Employer Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Research Studies

This selective review provides an overview of salient research findings related to employers' attitudes towards disability and prospective influences on employers to improve employment outcomes of people with disabilities. Research studies included for review are mainly those which investigated employer attitudes towards disability as predispositions to hiring people with disability. Selected studies were classified into three categories including hiring and accommodating employees with disabilities, work performance, and affective reactions and behavioural intentions of employers. Excluded from the review were studies that investigated other factors influencing employer attitudes toward disability. Altogether 34 research studies from the period of 1987 until 2012 were included in the review. Primary databases for the review included ProQuest, Ebscohost, Lexus Nexus, ERICK Database and the Sage Sociology Collection. This review of the demand-side employment literature suggests employers hold relatively positive attitudes regarding individuals with disabilities. However, employer affective reactions and behavioural intentions of employers towards disability in the work setting were less positive and negatively impact hiring decisions, provision of accommodations and work performance appraisals. Employer attitudes represent an important demand-side factor impacting full participation in competitive employment for individuals with disabilities. While employers report generally positive attitudes toward disability, hiring practices may still be discriminatory. Use by rehabilitation professionals of demand-side strategies with employers would likely result in higher rates of work participation by people with disabilities.

Connecting Employers With People Who Have Intellectual Disability

2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Luecking
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Employment Opportunity ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Employment Service ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Service Programs ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract Longstanding advocacy for employment opportunity, recent legislative and policy developments, and advancements in employment service practice have contributed to an emerging notion of presumptive employability for individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, low levels of employment remain the norm for people with disabilities, especially those with intellectual disability. Further, an examination of employer views of people with intellectual disability suggests that effective connections remain elusive between employers and employment service programs that support job seekers with intellectual disability. In this article employer perspectives are considered and case descriptions of effective connections of people with intellectual disability to employers are provided in order to meet demand-side operational needs. These perspectives have implications for elevating the effectiveness of employment service practice.

Assessing employers’ stigmatizing attitudes toward people with disabilities: A brief report

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jill Bezyak ◽  
Kanako Iwanaga ◽  
Erin Moser ◽  
Fong Chan
Keyword(s):  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Marginalized Groups ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Stigmatizing Attitudes ◽  
Areas Of Concern ◽  
Unidimensional Structure

BACKGROUND: People with disabilities are one of the most marginalized groups in society, and having a disability significantly increases the likelihood of unemployment or underemployment. The reluctance to hire individuals with disabilities is significantly influenced by the longstanding, negative stereotypes of people with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: To better understand employers’ negative attitudes toward individuals with disabilities, assessment tools must properly capture factors contributing to this stigma. METHODS: The Employers’ Stigmatizing Attitudes toward People with Disabilities Scale (ESATPD) was validated in the current study. RESULTS: Results of the exploratory factor analysis indicate a strong, unidimensional structure of the scale accounting for 47.14% of the total variance with a sample. The single ESATPD factor was labeled employment stigma. In addition, higher levels of employers’ stigma were related to negative attitudes toward disability, decreased support of recruitment efforts, as well as decreased intentions of hiring people with disabilities. CONCLUSION: Results support the implementation of tailored interventions directed at specific areas of concern for employers and employees in hiring positions.

scholarly journals Public Attitudes Toward People With Intellectual Disabilities After Viewing Olympic or Paralympic Performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Ferrara ◽  
Jan Burns ◽  
Hayley Mills
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Attitudes Toward Disability ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Positive Direction ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities

Despite some changes to the way that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are viewed in society, negative attitudes prevail. One of the aspirations of the 2012 Paralympic games was to influence the public’s attitudes toward people with disabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate whether stimuli depicting people with ID performing at Paralympic level of competition change attitudes toward ID. A mixed randomized comparison design was employed comparing 2 groups: those who viewed Paralympic-level ID sport footage and information and those who viewed Olympic footage and information. One hundred fourteen students, mean age 25 yr, were administered measures of implicit (subconscious) attitudes toward disability and explicit (belief-based) attitudes toward ID. Implicit attitudes significantly changed in a positive direction for both groups. The findings provide evidence that both Paralympic (ID) and Olympic media coverage may have at least a short-term effect on attitudes toward people with disabilities.

The Role of the Pediatrician in Implementing the Americans With Disabilities Act: Subject Review

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-148
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
American Academy ◽  
Special Needs ◽  
Americans With Disabilities Act ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Reasonable Accommodation ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
American Academy Of Pediatrics ◽  
Counseling Adolescents ◽  
Recreational Programs

In this statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms the importance of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which guarantees people with disabilities certain rights to enable them to participate more fully in their communities. Pediatricians need to know about the ADA provisions to be able to educate and counsel their patients and patients' families appropriately. The ADA mandates changes to our environment, including reasonable accommodation to the needs of individuals with disabilities, which has application to schools, hospitals, physician offices, community businesses, and recreational programs. Pediatricians should be a resource to their community by providing information about the ADA and the special needs of their patients, assisting with devising reasonable accommodation, and counseling adolescents about their expanded opportunities under the ADA.

Assessing Cognitive and Affective Reactions of Employers Toward People with Disabilities in the Workplace

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Copeland ◽  
Fong Chan ◽  
Jill Bezyak ◽  
Robert T. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Affective Reactions

scholarly journals The Perception of Physical Activity and Sports Professionals’ Competence in Working With Individuals With Disabilities in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Gutiérrez-Conejo ◽  
María-Dolores González-Rivera ◽  
Antonio Campos-Izquierdo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
And Training

The importance of professional competence lies in the effective application of job-oriented knowledge and skills which guarantee one’s successful adaptation to the work. This study analyzes the perception of the importance of physical activity and sports (PAS) professionals’ competence in working with individuals with disabilities in Spain. As a descriptive quantitative study, face-to-face interviews were conducted through a survey to extract the data. The sample consisted of 214 PAS professionals working with people with disabilities. According to the results, the analyzed constituents of professional competence are important for adequate performance (>65%), with the exception of competences of leadership and use of new technologies (<50%). It was also found that the perceived importance of each element of professional competence varies according to age, experience and training. Based on the obtained results, the degree of importance of each constituent of professional competence and its implication for the access of people with disabilities to high-quality physical activity and sports services was determined.

Individuals with Disabilities and Internet Use

2012 ◽  
pp. 242-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Gozza-Cohen ◽  
Deborah May
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Large Research

This entry examines the use of the internet by individuals with disabilities. Before people with disabilities can use the Internet for socializing, communicating, gathering information, learning, or working, they must first be able to access the Internet. This may require additional assistance by either people or modified hardware and software. Some authors have expressed concern that there is a digital divide, with many people with disabilities not accessing the Internet. The differing needs of people with disabilities, and how their needs may be met with technology and adaptations are explored. Examples of various uses of the Internet by people with disabilities are presented. This field does not have a large research base; it is difficult to do controlled large group studies with such diverse populations, so much of the information comes from position papers, demographic reports, case studies, or exploratory research.

Web-Based Distance Learning and the Second Digital Divide

2011 ◽  
pp. 83-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheryl Burghstahler
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Learning Options

Web-based distance learning programs promise learning options anywhere, anytime, to anyone. However, some individuals with disabilities are locked out of these opportunities when courses are designed in such a way that they are inaccessible to individuals using assistive technology. This chapter provides an overview of access challenges for people with disabilities; suggestions for course developers on creating accessible courses; and suggestions for administrators on developing accessiblity policies, guidelines, and procedures.

Raising People With Special Needs

2022 ◽  
pp. 310-342
Author(s):  
Ruža Tomić
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Special Needs ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Significant Part ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The World ◽  
Attitudes Towards Inclusion

People with disabilities, who represent a significant part of the population of today's world, are still on the margins of social goods and values because of the attitudes of people who are not. Although, in earlier social eras, they were observed mainly from the point of view of social possibilities of existence, the appearance of significant world documents, and affirmations on the labour market, these attitudes changed somewhat. Nevertheless, in many countries of the world, the upbringing and education of children and young people with disabilities is burdened with numerous difficulties and problems. This chapter will help students, professionals, and others interested in these problems to get to know them and thus enrich their cognitive, emotional, social, and work competencies that may be needed to work with them. It will help them in practical application at all levels of their education, which will contribute to strengthening positive attitudes towards inclusion.

Positive effects of earthquake from the perspective of people with physical disability in Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Pakjouei ◽  
Aidin Aryankhesal ◽  
Mohammad Kamali ◽  
Hesam Seyedin ◽  
Mohammad Heidari
Keyword(s):  
Physical Disability ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Knowledge Enhancement

Purpose Earthquake usually causes death, injury, disability and destruction of buildings and infrastructure, and people with disabilities are usually affected more than healthy people. As undesirable experiences may also have positive outcomes, this study aims to investigate the experiences of PWD and identify the positive effects of earthquakes on them in Iran, as an earthquake-prone country. Design/methodology/approach In this qualitative study, 20 participants were selected purposively among those having physical disability, aged 23-55 years and with experience of an earthquake. Their opinions were collected using semi-structured interviews. Analysis was performed using thematic approach and MAXQDA software was used to organize the data. Findings The positive effects of earthquake were categorized into five main themes: promotion of preparedness, knowledge enhancement, improvement of structures, socio-economic improvement (economic situation enhancement and social cohesion promotion) and outstanding role of national and international non-governmental organizations. Originality/value Although disasters are generally unpleasant, in the long term, they can result in positive effects and may be considered as opportunities to improve the situation and eliminate certain limitations. It is also important to learn from experiences of people with disabilities and apply the lessons learned, for enhancing preparedness and providing better services in the response phase of disaster management. Additionally, paying attention to the positive attitudes of such people, with special conditions and limitations, indicates their enhanced resilience to cope with disasters and emergencies, including COVID-19, which should be taken into consideration by policymakers and planners in future programs.

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