The COVID-19 Pandemic, Disability Policy, and Disability Inclusion in the Workplace

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant effects on employment and workplaces. While the pandemic has been recognized as a universal experience, the disability community has been uniquely impacted by the pandemic in a variety of ways, including employment. Despite this unique positioning, little is known about how the pandemic influenced disability inclusion efforts in employment during this time. The purpose of this study was to explore how disability was considered within workplace pandemic responses from the perspectives of employees with and without disabilities involved in organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies. The research team conducted 21 semi-structured interviews and analyzed interview data using a framework analysis approach. Findings from semi-structured interviews highlight changes that occurred in the workplace due to the pandemic, how public health policies intersected with disability policies, impacts on workplace accommodations, and outlooks for future disability inclusion within workplace settings. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the experiences of employees with disabilities and offers insights into the relationship between disability experience and access in relation to the changing social, environmental, and cultural contexts of the pandemic. Furthermore, this study confirms the importance of centering disability perspectives in organizational strategies and public policies to address barriers, reduce disparities, and ultimately sustain and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities at work.