Affiliations: [a]
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| [b]
Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, OK, USA
| [c]
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| [d]
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Brian Phillips, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special
Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. Tel.: +1 608 263 6279; Fax: +1 608 262 8108;
E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Individuals with disabilities continue to be underrepresented in STEM education and employment, despite the strong group of STEM occupations in recent years. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of SPR/nAblement’s unique efforts to assist people with physical disabilities to find employment in IT occupations. METHODS: The Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) approach was used to gain a rich understanding of employment services provided to people with sensory and physical disabilities by the nAblement division of SPR Consulting, a medium-sized information technology (IT) company in Chicago. Interviews were conducted with six SPR/nAblement staff and administrators, six people with physical disabilities served by SPR/nAblement, and five employers who had hired people with physical disabilities from the SPR/nAblement’s candidate pool. RESULTS: Results suggest multiple opportunities for IT companies that include a focus on disability in their workforce diversity and inclusion programs. Results also highlight some of the unique opportunities and challenges for people with physical disabilities that may arise from receiving in-house, occupation-specific employment and training services. CONCLUSION: Implications for rehabilitation counseling practice and research are provided, including suggestions for facilitating other companies in their profit-driven goals for hiring people with physical disabilities.
