The employer's perception: Employment of individuals with developmental disabilities

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Morgan, Robert L. | Alexander, Melina

Affiliations: Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Utah State University, 2865 Old Main Drive, Logan, UT 84322-2865, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 435 797 3251; Fax: +1 435 797 3572; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: In this study, employers with and without experience in hiring individuals with developmental disabilities were surveyed regarding their perceptions. Respondents were surveyed and their responses were divided based on location (small or large city), type and size of business, average length of employment, and educational qualifications. Most respondents with experience indicated the employment usually or sometimes worked well and they were likely to hire again. Many inexperienced respondents were also receptive to hiring. Experienced respondents identified advantages to employing individuals with disabilities at higher rates than inexperienced respondents. The most frequently identified advantages were consistent attendance, workforce diversity, long-term employment, and co-worker partnerships. Experienced respondents also identified more concerns than inexperienced respondents. The most frequently identified concern was safety. Implications of the research are examined.

Keywords: Employer perceptions, employers with experience, employers without experience, inter-coder reliability

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 39-49, 2005