Successful employer-driven disability initiatives exhibit specific characteristics consistent across various companies and programs despite their differences in other aspects. Recent research published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation indicates that companies with leadership teams dedicated to fostering inclusion for individuals with disabilities and guided by intrinsic values deeply ingrained in their organisational ethos witnessed enhanced performance, favourable employee perceptions, and the development of a unified corporate culture. The effectiveness and visibility of disability-inclusive actions and policies played a pivotal role in shaping their outcomes, underscoring the importance of leadership commitment and effective strategies in disability initiatives.
Although disability is prevalent in society, its representation in the US labour market is notably lower. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Labor, the participation rate of individuals with disabilities in the workforce in 2023 is approximately half that of those without disabilities.
Lead investigator Brian N. Phillips, PhD, CRC, from the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at Utah State University, stated, “Initiatives led by employers aimed at addressing disabilities can indeed yield positive outcomes for both company performance and organisational climate. Our research identified the driving forces and effective strategies that contributed to successful results: enhanced business and financial performance, improved employee morale, and strengthened unity within the company. These exemplary practices should serve as a guiding light for other organisations to actively embrace disability as a valuable component of workplace diversity.”
The research findings suggest that employers stand to gain significantly by recognising individuals with disabilities as a valuable and vastly underutilised workforce segment. Drawing insights from case studies conducted across seven companies of varying sizes and industries, the study aimed to deepen understanding of employer-driven disability initiatives, their underlying motivations, and their impact on company productivity and overall success. The most notable achievements were observed in companies that demonstrated the most significant commitment to implementing their initiatives decisively.
Timothy N. Tansey, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a co-investigator on the study, remarked, “It is remarkable to recognise the extent to which workplace inclusion can serve as a competitive advantage. However, it’s essential to highlight that companies adopting a disability initiative on a more tentative basis or with a degree of scepticism tended to yield less favourable outcomes. Many employers emphasise diversity but overlook the importance of providing adequate support for individuals with disabilities.”
Paul Wehman, PhD, from Virginia Commonwealth University, also the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, noted, “Existing literature suggested a correlation between employer disability initiatives and company performance, with leadership commitment playing a significant role. However, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that these initiatives had a positive impact not only on employees with disabilities but also on their non-disabled counterparts. Many employees we spoke with expressed a newfound sense of pride in the company and a greater sense of camaraderie with their colleagues.”
Dr Phillips emphasised that all the companies in the study shared a typical value of prioritising their employees, acknowledging that employees are not merely assets to the company but that the company also exists to support and empower its employees through measures such as flexibility, training, opportunities for advancement, and fair compensation.
More information: Phillips, Brian N. et al, Effect of company-driven disability diversity initiatives: A multi-case study across industries, Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230061
Journal information: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation Provided by IOS Press