Affiliations: Department of Counselor Education, Counseling
Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services, Penn State University, University
Park, PA, USA | Director of the Statistical Consulting Center, Penn
State University,University Park, PA, USA | Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Liza Conyers, Department of
Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services, Penn
State University, 313 Cedar Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. Tel.: +1
814 863 6115; E-mail: lmc11@psu.edu
Abstract: This article utilizes data from the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission's Integrated Mission System database to document the levels of
employment discrimination involving individuals with HIV/AIDS. The researchers
explore the theory that the nature of HIV/AIDS related employment
discrimination is rooted in deeper stigmatization than discrimination against
other disability groups. Researchers compare and contrast key demographic
characteristics of Charging Parties and Respondents involved in HIV/AIDS
related allegations of discrimination and their proportion of EEOC merit
resolutions to those of persons with other physical, sensory, and neurological
impairments. Findings indicate that, in contrast to the general disability
group, HIV/AIDS was more likely to be male, ethnic minorities, between the ages
of 25–44, in white collar jobs, in the South and West and to work for
businesses with 15 to 100 employees. Additionally, the allegations in HIV/AIDS
were more likely to receive merit resolution from the EEOC by a large
difference of ten percent.
