Affiliations: [a]
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA
| [b]
Walden University, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Dr. Javier N. Rodriguez, School of Rehabilitation Services and Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA. Tel.: +1 956 343 3860; E-mail: alua33@sbcglobal.net.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:There is a significant disparity in employment rates for persons with disabilities when compared to persons without disabilities. Understanding factors that influence employers’ disposition to hire and retain persons with disabilities is the first step in developing an educational intervention plan that is conducive to employers being more receptive to hiring persons with disabilities. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study is to survey and explore factors that influence employer’s disposition to hire and retain persons with disabilities and devise a scale that goes beyond attitudes. METHODS:To assess the factor structure and internal consistency of the new scale an exploratory factor analysis was performed on the survey response items to establish reliability and validity. Data was collected from employers located in Cameron and Hidalgo counties located in the Border Region of South Texas (N = 190). RESULTS:The results from the exploratory factor analysis provided a four-factor solution with 16 items. The factors were labeled Fears and Concerns, Employers Resources for Persons with Disabilities, ADA Competence, and Knowledge of Disability. The scale demonstrated overall internal consistency of .709. CONCLUSIONS:The discussion focuses on utility of the scale, recommendations for future research and limitations for the study.
Keywords: Exploratory factor analysis, scale development, hiring and retention of
persons with disabilities, border regions of South Texas, employer attitudes, job placement services
