Company Characteristics, Disability Inclusion Practices, and Employment of People with Disabilities in the Post COVID-19 Job Economy: A Cross Sectional Survey Study

Fong Chan; Timothy N Tansey; Kanako Iwanaga; Jill Bezyak; Paul Wehman; Brian N Phillips; David R Strauser; Catherine Anderson

doi:10.1007/s10926-020-09941-8

Company Characteristics, Disability Inclusion Practices, and Employment of People with Disabilities in the Post COVID-19 Job Economy: A Cross Sectional Survey Study

J Occup Rehabil. 2021 Sep;31(3):463-473. doi: 10.1007/s10926-020-09941-8. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Authors

Fong Chan¹, Timothy N Tansey¹, Kanako Iwanaga², Jill Bezyak³, Paul Wehman⁴, Brian N Phillips⁵, David R Strauser⁶, Catherine Anderson⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA.
² Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, College of Health Professions, Virginia Commonwealth University, 900 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA, 23298-0330, USA. iwanagak@vcu.edu.
³ Department of Rehabilitation Counseling and Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, USA.
⁴ Virginia Commonwealth University- Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
⁵ Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, Logan, USA.
⁶ Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA.
⁷ Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Stout, USA.

Abstract

Purpose In the post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recession economy, rehabilitation counselors, transition specialists, and other disability service providers must redouble their efforts to connect with employers to create employment opportunities for people with physical and mental impairments. The purpose of the present study was to investigate company characteristics and effective disability inclusion practices that are related to employment of people with disabilities. Methods Four hundred sixty-six employers completed a demographic questionnaire and the Disability Inclusion Profiler. Results Results indicated company characteristics and disability practices were positively related to employment of people with disabilities. Conclusions Findings of the present study can be used by transition specialists, rehabilitation counselors, and other disability service providers to engage and connect with employers to increase employment opportunity for people with disabilities in the post COVID-19 economy. Future research and practice implications are provided.

Keywords: COVID-19; Disability; Diversity; Employment; Inclusion; Recession; Vocational rehabilitation.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

COVID-19
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disabled Persons*
Employment*
Humans
Rehabilitation, Vocational*
Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding