In this article:
People with disabilities experience longstanding barriers to employment. However, beyond the conventional metrics of labor force participation or unemployment rates we know very little about the workplace experiences of people with disabilities. This study describes findings from the 2015 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey (2015 KFNEDS), a nationally representative survey of Americans with disabilities.
Social barriers also persist, as employers continue to view people with disabilities as being unfit and unable to perform the job (Brostrand, 2006; Schur, et al., 2009). Stigma and negative attitudes of employers toward people with disabilities are major barriers, reported by as many as one-third of people with disabilities (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013; Erickson et al., 2014). A common miscon- ception among managers and administrators is that people with disabilities are not capable of holding strong leadership positions within an organization (Peck & Kirkbride, 2001). As a result, people with disabilities are rarely considered for career devel- opment and advancement opportunities, especially for leadership positions (Roulstone & Williams, 2014; Wilson-Kovacs, Ryan, Haslam, & Rabinovich, 2008).
A dual-frame, random digit dial, nationally representative survey was conducted. Survey respondents included 3013 working age adults with a disability. Survey respondents were asked about disability, employment status, job search activities and workplace experiences.
Over 42% of survey respondents were currently working. 68.4% were striving to work characterized by job preparation, job search and/or participation in the workforce since the onset of their disability. Although some barriers persisted in the workplace, many were able to overcome the same. Overall, 47.8% of the respondents used workplace accommodations, 45.3% were satisfied with their jobs, 86.6% felt accepted in their workplace.
The 2015 KFNEDS highlights how people with disabilities strive to work and overcome barriers, a discourse largely overlooked in contemporary disability and employment research. Survey findings can inform new programs and policies to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
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