Affiliations: The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Michele C. McDonnall, Ph.D., CRC, The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 6189, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. Tel.: +1 662 325 2001; E-mail: m.mcdonnall@msstate.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Negative employer attitudes have been identified as a major barrier to employment for people who are blind or visually impaired, yet we know little about what influences employer attitudes toward this population. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of the study was to replicate an earlier study of predictors of employer attitudes towards people who are blind or visually impaired as employees, utilizing a larger sample of employers and including additional predictor and control variables. METHODS:An online survey was conducted with a national sample of hiring managers, resulting in a usable sample of 379. Multiple regression was utilized to identify predictors of employer attitudes. RESULTS:Five variables significantly predicted employer attitudes: having hired someone in the past, knowledge about how work tasks can be accomplished, belief in knowledge, having a relationship with vocational rehabilitation (VR), and being female. Although communication with VR had a strong association with employer attitudes, having hired functioned as a mediator of the relationship between it and employer attitudes, indicating that communication with VR may influence employers’ hiring decisions. CONCLUSION:VR professionals should interact with employers as much as possible to encourage the hiring of people who are blind or visually impaired. Going beyond initial contacts to developing relationships is important.
Keywords: Employer attitudes, blindness, visual impairment, vocational rehabilitation, business development
