Employer Perceptions of the Work Potential of Individuals with Disabilities

Issue title: Business and Marketing

Subtitle: An Illustration from Supported Employment

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kregel, John | Unger, Darlene

Affiliations: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia

Note: [] This research was supported by grant no. H133C20135 from the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. The opinions expressed are those of the authors, and no official endorsement from NIDRR or the Department should be inferred.

Abstract: The attitudes of employers toward workers with disabilities participating in supported employment programs were examined through face-to-face interviews with 46 employers who had hired and/or supervised supported employment participants. Results indicate that employers held generally favorable attitudes toward the employment potential of individuals with disabilities, as well as the types of services provided through supported employment programs. Furthermore, employers indicated that supported employment programs were not intrusive or disruptive to the work setting. However, several concerns were raised regarding specific aspects of supported employment programs, including the ability of supported employment to reduce job turnover and the reliability of supported employment providers.

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1993-3404

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 17-25, 1993