Affiliations: [a]
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA
| [b]
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| [c]
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, USA
| [d]
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Jill Bezyak, Rehabilitation Counseling and Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Gunter Hall, Campus Box 132, Greeley, CO 80639, USA. E-mail: jill.bezyak@unco.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:In order to promote equal opportunity in employment, rehabilitation researchers implement demand-side employment research to increase the presence of employees with disabilities in the workplace. Previous research indicates the inclusion of people with disabilities in an organization’s diversity and inclusion policies and procedures is strongly associated with employment of people with disabilities. Despite the potential advantages of disability inclusion, there is limited evidence to evaluate employers’ perception about the importance of disability inclusion strategies. OBJECTIVE:The current study examined the relative importance of six common disability inclusion strategies and the relationship between each of these strategies and employers’ hiring intention and validated a 6-item Disability Inclusion Strategy Scale, in order to promote employer engagement and provide disability and business technical assistance. METHODS:One hundred and eighty employers completed questionnaires assessing disability inclusion strategies and hiring intention. RESULTS:Results indicated all disability inclusion strategies in the present study were positively related to hiring intention, and findings support the 6-item DISS as a psychometrically sound measurement tool. CONCLUSIONS:Future research and practice implications are provided.
