Affiliations: [a] Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| [b] Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| [c] Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Central and Northern Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Sandra Thompson-Hodgetts, PhD, OT, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, 2-64 Corbett Hall, 8205 114 St Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada. Tel.: +1 780 492 8416; E-mail: sandra.hodgetts@ualberta.ca.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Adults with developmental disabilities are significantly un- and under-employed. Little is known about the relationship between visibility of a disability and employment. OBJECTIVE:To explore how visibility of a disability influences employment for adults with developmental disabilities. METHODS:In-depth interviews were done with caregivers, adults with developmental disabilities, and employment support professionals. Content related to visibility/invisibility of disability was thematically analyzed. RESULTS:Three main themes, with 10 sub-themes, emerged: (i) Dispelling Myths: Assumptions Related to Disability; (ii) Rock and a Hard Place: Disclosing ‘Invisible’ Disability; (iii) Finders-Keepers: Easier to find, but not keep, a job with invisible disability. CONCLUSIONS:Assumptions about disability underpinned employment-related challenges experienced by adults with developmental disabilities. Our findings highlight the need for employment initiatives that go beyond skill-based training to target social barriers of employment, such as stigma and lack of disability knowledge.
