We Are People First: Framing Organizational Assimilation Experiences of the Physically Disabled Using Co-Cultural Theory

Abstract

This study explores how organizational members with disabilities experience and manage organizational assimilation in the workplace. The organizational socialization model was used to initially analyze participants' assimilation experiences and co-cultural theory was used as a framework for examining how participants negotiate assimilation. Interviews with 24 participants with physical disabilities were analyzed. Results illustrate a dynamic and difficult process of managing and negotiating assimilation, using a variety of communication strategies such as accommodation (attempts to keep some cultural identity) and assimilation (attempts to conform), as opposed to separation (rejecting common connection with dominant members and bonding only with co-cultural members).

Keywords:

• Co-Cultural Theory
• Disability
• Organizational Communication
• Socialization
• Workplace

This essay developed from the first author's master's thesis and was presented as a competitive paper in the Organizational Communication Division at the 2008 Annual Convention of the Western States Communication Association.

The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their insightful suggestions and Dr. Ruth Guzley for support in the revision of this work.

Notes

Source: Orbe & Spellers (2005). Reprinted with permission of the author.

Source: Orbe & Spellers (2005). Reprinted with permission of the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marsha Cohen

Marsha Cohen is a Lecturer in the Management Department

Susan Avanzino

Susan Avanzino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at California State University, Chico.