Towards a Model of Disability Disclosure

Disability & Society, 2016

Friendship is an issue of concern for many people with intellectual disability. The aim of the research presented in this paper is to understand how people with intellectual disability experience friendship and what friendship means for them. A focus group was held with seven people with intellectual disability, who are members of a self-advocacy group. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. The people that the research participants identified as their friends were fellow self-advocates, family members, support workers and co-workers. They also identified behaviours and actions that foster friendship and those that undermine it. The analysis shows how the research participants identified as friendships those relationships which had an element of reciprocity, while linking a lack of reciprocity with the absence of friendship. It is very important for non-disabled people to understand the perspectives of people with intellectual disability they live and work with.

Work, 2024

BACKGROUND: In order to overcome obstacles to entry and inclusion in the workplace, individuals with disabilities engage in various impression management strategies to present themselves as the socially acceptable 'ideal employee.' OBJECTIVE: This study expands on previous disclosure research by asking individuals with disabilities to share their experiences of identity management and workplace challenges. METHODS: We leveraged qualitative research techniques to explore the reciprocal impact of workplace treatment and disclosure. RESULTS: Impression management emerged as an especially salient aspect of participants' disclosure decisions, and participants used an array of impression management tactics. Some employees with disabilities described positive experiences; however, we also learned that impression management can present unique challenges that may outweigh potential benefits. CONCLUSION: Our findings affirm that managing the image we project can be remarkably complicated and effortful when having a disability. This paper concludes with implementation recommendations for vocational rehabilitation counselors and human resource practitioners.

Background Relationships develop through social interaction and assist with participation and inclusion. Little is known about how relationships develop between people with severe intellectual disability who have limited communication and others.

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 2001

The present study examined the views of four people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) on the relationships in their lives which they described as close friendships. A participatory approach was adopted in this study, whereby the participants were seen as experts on their own close friendship experiences and the researchers as marshallers of this expertise. To this end, two in-depth interviews were conducted with each participant. They shared their individual expertise on the close friendships in their lives. The participants delineated two distinctive types of close friendships: the 'good mate' and the girlfriend/boyfriend. The factors mediating each of these friendship types are discussed. Avenues for further research and consideration are given. These include the significance of friendships with people with IDs, intimate relationships, the impact of environmental factors on friendship enactment and friendships with older people who have IDs. Finally, the present paper argues for the value of adopting participatory approaches to research with people who have IDs.

Disability Studies: Putting Theory Into Practice, 2004

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 2016

Background The purpose of this thematic synthesis was to review qualitative studies on perspectives of persons with intellectual disabilities regarding friendships and intimate relationships. Materials and methods A literature search was conducted, including studies published between 2004 and 2014, involving participants 14 years of age or older, who had intellectual disabilities, and participated in focus groups or interviews. Results Eighteen studies were included. Three master themes were identified: (i) How do I know someone is my friend? (ii) How do I know someone is my boyfriend or girlfriend? and (iii) What helps and hinders relationships? Conclusions Understanding how people with intellectual disabilities describe relationships, and being aware of factors that support and impede relationships, will aid stakeholders in developing training, policies, programmes and services. Knowledge translation of research that focuses on strategies aimed at supporting relationships is crucial to affect change in applied settings and improve quality of life for persons with intellectual disabilities.

This study aimed to analyze how Interpersonal Communication (IC) is processed in an organization that works with People with Disability (PwD) from the point of view of co-workers. A total of 314 PwD co-workers, employees of Auchan Portugal Group, participated in this study. The quantitative methodology was used, with recourse to a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out through descriptive and inferential statistics, using SPSS-24.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software. The results showed that of all the items in the IC dimension, those that presented a higher degree of agreement were: "In general there is good communication with the PwD" and "The PwD has contact/interaction with the different workers/departments". Those with a lower level of agreement were: "PwD usually have problems in relating to colleagues" and "PwD may adopt inadequate behavior and attitudes in organizations". From the correlation analysis, a statistically significant correlation was verified between the academic qualifications of the PwD's colleagues and the item "The PwD is more communicative than the others". From the analysis of the differences according to professional position, statistically significant differences were found between the groups "Supervisor/Responsible" and "Worker" in three items of the IC. This study aims to contribute to a greater knowledge about the reality of PwD experienced in the workplace and to the increase of good practices by organizations.

Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 2013

Disclosing a disability to a potential or current employer is a very personal decision, with potentially far-reaching consequences for both the employer and employee. Disability disclosure can assure that employees receive appropriate workplace accommodations, and can help employers respond more effectively to diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at increasing the hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities. However, disclosure may also result in negative employment consequences for employees, such as lowered supervisor expectations, isolation from co-workers, and increased likelihood of termination. Given demographic trends related to disability in the labor force and recent initiatives to increase the employment of individuals with disabilities, it is increasingly important that employers create an environment that encourages disclosure and reduces the likelihood of negative consequences for employees and applicants who disclose their disabilities. This paper presents the findings of a survey of individuals with disabilities focused on identifying and better understanding the factors that influence the disclosure decision. Results highlight the barriers and facilitators that influence individuals' decision to disclose and the important role that employers, managers, and workplace climate play in the decision. Implications for employer policy and practice are also discussed.

International journal of humanities and social sciences, 2016