Social integration in the workplace for people with disabilities: An Australian perspective

Abstract

Employment success for people with disabilities is closely related to the degree to which they are physically and socially integrated into the work environment. This study sought to explore the extent to which workers (N = 71) with disabilities were experiencing integration from the perspective of Supervisors (N = 65), Co-workers N = 63) and Employment Specialists (N = 67) located in 64 open and supported employment sites across Australia. The participants completed questionnaires that addressed the following areas: workplace conditions, social interaction in the workplace, appropriateness of particular social behaviors, and attitudes to employees with disabilities. Overall, the findings revealed a considerable amount of agreement between the three groups of participants. The results showed that people with disabilities who were employed in entry level jobs across a range of work-places were considered to be valued members of the workforce. The majority of supervisors and co-workers indicated that the person with a disability was engaged in the social life of the workplace, although co-workers were less positive. Perceived differences on task related social skills and actual job performed appeared likely contributors to this finding. Finally, the positive attitudes being expressed towards those people with disabilities in this study by all three groups suggest that having direct experience with employees with disabilities in open employment situations can have a positive effect. The findings are discussed in light of the need for further research that seeks to understand the formation of friendships by adults with disabilities. Social integration in the workplace is only the first step toward the formation of reciprocal friendships.