The meaning of workplace discrimination for women with disabilities

Issue title: Women, Work and Culture

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Randolph, Diane Smith

Affiliations: Saint Louis University, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, 3437 Caroline Street, Suite 2020, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. Tel.: +1 314 977 8578; Fax: +1 314 977 5414; E-mail: randolds@slu.edu

Abstract: Studies have found that persons with disabilities who are also members of other minority groups or women encounter dual discrimination [5]. This paper describes how women with disabilities who are in the workplace experience discrimination. In order to determine whether discrimination was a viable issue, theoretical contexts of feminist theory, disability theory, and attribution theory were examined as well as literature examining employment of women with disabilities. For this study, three women with various disabilities were interviewed regarding the effect of their disability on their typical workday, their employment and job seeking history, and employment opportunities. Qualitative data were also provided through mapping by the participants and pictorial data of worksites. Data were grouped into themes of pre-conceived notions of others, attitudes of others, accommodation issues, inclusion issues and exploitation issues. From these themes definitions of discrimination, nondiscrimination in the workplace were developed. Conclusions include the need for more research on workplace experiences of other or more specific populations that experience discrimination as well as the need for ethical reflection on the part of the researcher regarding vulnerable populations.

Journal: Work, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 369-380, 2005