The employers’ perspective on barriers and facilitators to employment of people with intellectual disability: A differential mixed-method approach

Author(s)
Andreas Kocman, Linda Fischer, Germain Weber
Abstract

Background: Obtaining employment is among the most important ambitions of people with intellectual disability. Progress towards comprehensive inclusive employment is hampered by numerous barriers. Limited research is available on these barriers and strategies to overcome them.
Method: A mixed method approach in a sample of 30 HR-managers was used to assess (i) differences in perceived barriers for employment of people with specific disabilities and mental disorders; (ii) barriers specific to employing people with intellectual disability; (iii) strategies to overcome these barriers.
Results: Employers perceive more barriers for hiring people with intellectual disability and mental disorders than for physical disabilities. Employment for this population is hampered by a perceived lack of skills and legal issues. Strategies perceived as beneficial are supplying information, changes in organizational strategies and legal changes.
Conclusions: Employers’ differentiated expectations and reservations towards hiring individuals with specific disabilities need to be taken into account to increase employment for people with intellectual disability.

Organisation(s)
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
External organisation(s)
Universität Wien
Journal
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability
Volume
31
Pages
120-131
No. of pages
12
ISSN
1360-2322
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12375
Publication date
05-2017
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
501002 Applied psychology, 501029 Economic psychology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Education, Developmental and Educational Psychology
Portal url
https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/the-employers-perspective-on-barriers-and-facilitators-to-employment-of-people-with-intellectual-disability-a-differential-mixedmethod-approach(e5e72816-9476-4d7e-8b50-b5437800a566).html