An exploratory study of the retention of workers with an intellectual disability

People with a disability represent an estimated one billion of the world’s population, yet many are unemployed or underemployed. Many individuals with a disability report adverse experiences with management and work colleagues, job insecurity, negative recruitment experiences, stereotyping and discrimination. The papers in this symposium use diverse theories and methodologies to examine the challenges and some potential options for supporting workers with a disability in three different national contexts. First, Swift examines previously unexplored reasons that underlie employees’ accommodation requests. Moore and Yang examine the benefits of social ties (e.g., close friends, family) on skill utilization among individuals with a disability. DeMartino, Atkins and Barbato examine reasons such as lack of employment options that lead to deaf entrepreneurship. Despite the challenges faced by workers with a disability, the papers also highlight effective HRM practices and unique employment programs that provide positive work experiences for these individuals. Meacham, Southcombe, Cavanagh and Bartram explore the role of HRM practices in supporting individuals with an intellectual disability; and Spoor et al. discuss the outcomes of the Dandelion Program, which provides a supportive working environment for individuals with autism. Discussion focuses on the theoretical, policy and practice implications of the papers.