Disclosure, accommodations and self-care at work among adolescents with disabilities

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore whether adolescents with disabilities disclose their condition and what types of accommodations are requested at work. Method: In-depth, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 adolescents with a physical and/or mobility-related disability. We also reviewed their self- and staff assessments completed throughout an employment training program in which they took part. Results: The findings show that most youth were able to disclose their conditions and recognize some of their limitations in performing tasks at work. Youth requested physical accommodations, more time to complete tasks and cognitive accommodations. Youth also performed several self-care tasks to manage their disability at work including personal care, pain management and fatigue. Conclusions: Within the context of this employment training program, youth were able to disclose their condition to their employer, ask for accommodations and manage their disability in the workplace.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Educators and clinicians should:

• Assist youth in understanding whether, when and how to disclose their disability to their potential employer.

• Help youth to understand what accommodations are available to them in the workplace and how to access them, to help them to perform their job effectively.

• Coach youth on how to manage their disability in a work context, especially with regard to personal care, pain management and fatigue.

• Encourage and facilitate participation in experience-based opportunities to practice disclosure, requesting accommodations and self-management.

• Accommodations
• adolescents
• disclosure
• employment
• occupational rehabilitation
• self-care
• self-management

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the youth who participated in the study, the staff who helped run the employment training program and also the research assistance of Suzanne Robinson.