Dive Brief:
- About 75% of people with disabilities that are visible report being excited to go to work, while only 58% of people with disabilities that are not visibly detectable say they are happy going to work each day, according to a survey by the Working Mother Research Institute.
- Perhaps not surprisingly, people who's disabilities are not visible are also less likely to disclose that they have a disability. Around 43% of this group said they were hesitant to discuss the nature of the disability or had a preference for keeping it secret.
- Along gender lines, 69% of men with disabilities report being generally satisfied with their career paths, compared to 60% of women. The survey of nearly 1,400 workers was done in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Dive Insight:
Making those with disabilities feel included requires active planning by an employer — meaning education about diversity and disability acceptance must be a continuous part of the company's culture.
Education truly is key. Research has shown that American hiring managers tend to discriminate against applicants with disabilities, hiring candidates who are identical in talent but mentioned a disability 26% less frequently than those who did not. By creating space for people with disabilities to talk about their experiences and complete their work, an employer can go a long way in making a workplace feel more accepting and open.
