Research Database: Article Details
| Citation: | Lindsay, S., McDougall, C., and Sanford, R. (2013). Disclosure, accommodations and self care at work among adolescents with disabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation, 35 (26), 2227-2236. |
| Title: | Disclosure, accommodations and self care at work among adolescents with disabilities |
| Authors: | Lindsay, S., McDougall, C., and Sanford, R. |
| Year: | 2013 |
| Journal/Publication: | Disability and Rehabilitation |
| Publisher: | Informa Healthcare |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2013.775356 |
| Full text: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23594050 |
| Peer-reviewed? | Yes |
| NIDILRR-funded? | No |
| Research design: | Qualitative research |
Structured abstract:
| Background: | Youth with disabilities need to understand whether, when and how to disclose their disability to a potential employer. They also need to know how to ask for accommodations, including those related to self care in the workplace. |
| Purpose: | The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not adolescents with physical and or mobility impairments disclose their disability and what types of accommodations they request from employers. The research question was Do youth with disabilities disclose their condition and what types of accommodations do they ask for? |
| Setting: | The study took place in Canada. |
| Study sample: | The study sample included 18 youth (9 males and 9 females) aged 15 to 20, with physical disabilities who had completed a 12 month employment training program. Within the group, the majority or 13 had cerebral palsy. Twelve of the participants used a mobility device. The youth employment training program included work shops on various topics (including disclosure and accommodation), skill building activities as well as, two work experiences. |
| Intervention: | There was no intervention |
| Data collection and analysis: | Short semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data about youth experiences with disclosing disability and requesting accommodations. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Youth records and reports generated during their participation in the employment training program were also reviewed. This include self and staff assessments. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Themes emerged and data was coded. An audit trail documented analytic decisions. Steps were taken to ensure validity and reliability of the findings. |
| Findings: | All youth disclosed something related to their disability. They were able to recognize some of their work limitations and request appropriate accommodations. Accommodations related to physical and cognitive issues. Youth were able to complete self care activities related to fatigue, pain management and personal care. |
| Conclusions: | Youth who participated in a employment training program disclosed disability, requested accommodations and manged self care during work experiences. |
| Disabilities served: |
Cerebral palsy Mobility impairment |
| Populations served: |
Gender: Female and Male Transition-age youth (14 - 24) |