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Perspectives on work (re)entry for persons with disabilities: implications for clinicians.
Muriel G Westmorland1, Renee Williams, Susan Strong
1School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. westmorl@mcmaster.ca
Work (Reading, Mass.)
|November 21, 2002
Summary
Defining workplace success for persons with disabilities requires considering individual needs, job fit, and mutual benefits for both employee and employer. This ensures dignity and quality of life in employment opportunities.
Area of Science:
- Disability Studies
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Government funding aims to improve employment for persons with disabilities, yet job access remains limited.
- Understanding diverse stakeholder perspectives is crucial for effective employment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how various stakeholder groups define workplace (re)entry success for individuals with disabilities.
- To identify key factors contributing to successful and sustainable employment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving focus groups and individual interviews.
- 86 participants from six stakeholder groups: employers, unions, persons with disabilities, co-workers, supervisors, and HR departments.
Main Results:
- Workplace success is defined as a combination of job-person fit and mutual benefit (win-win) for employer and employee.
- Success is individualized, depending on specific circumstances, the individual, and their environment.
- Respect for individual dignity and quality of life emerged as critical components of success.
Conclusions:
- Current definitions of employment success for persons with disabilities are multifaceted.
- Implications for clinicians include adopting a holistic approach that considers individual, environmental, and organizational factors.
- A broader understanding of success can inform policy and practice to improve employment outcomes.