Employer attitudes toward workers with disabilities: A review of research in the past decade

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Ju, Song | Roberts, Eric | Zhang, Dalun

Affiliations: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Song Ju, Texas A&M University, 4225 TAMU, College Station, TX 77845, USA. Tel.: +1 979 458 4168; Fax: +1 979 862 1256; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The purpose of this review was to provide an update of research findings on employers' attitudes toward workers with disabilities. Fifteen studies published in the last decade were examined. It was found that employers showed positive general attitudes toward workers with disabilities, but had some reservations toward hiring workers with certain types of disabilities. Positive past experiences with individuals with disabilities were associated with more willingness to hire and retain employees with disabilities. However, fewer concerns were identified in this review than previous reviews.

Keywords: Employer attitude, individuals with disabilities, concerns, employability

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-130625

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 113-123, 2013