Moving Beyond Misperceptions: The Provision of Workplace Accommodations

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examined the provision of workplace accommodations in the health care, hospitality, and retail sectors. First, focus groups with administrators from each sector revealed that accommodations costs were viewed as minimal (although frontline managers were perceived as having misperceptions). Second, the provision of accommodations as documented through human resources records for health care and hospitality indicated that accommodations were infrequent, not costly, and provided to employees with disabilities. Finally, retail employees (irrespective of disability status) reported many more accommodations than health care and hospitality workers. To dispel misperceptions related to accommodations, education is critical and social workers are well-positioned for this role.

KEYWORDS:

• accommodations
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• disability
• employment
• mixed methods

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This project would not have been possible without the support of disabilityworks, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Chicago's Mayor's Office for People With Disabilities (MOPD), and Chicago's Mayor's Office of Workforce Development. We also wish to extend our gratitude to the participating businesses and employees, Robert Cimera, Elizabeth Horin, Jessica Velcoff, Oscar Donoso, YAI/National Institute for People With Disabilities, and Portland State University. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and MOPD provided funding for this project. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of our partners or funding organizations.

Notes

Note. Due to rounding, percentages might not add up to 100.

Note. —indicates not applicable.

^a n = 45;

^b n = 81;

^c n = 4;

^d n = 10.

Note. —indicates not applicable.

^a n = 46;

^b n 128.