Employer Practices for Integrating People With Disabilities Into the Workplace: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background:Workplace inclusion contributes to job satisfaction and innovation. Integrating people with disabilities (PWDs) improves productivity, morale, creativity, problem-solving, and commitment. Previous evidence revealed that employers are ambivalent about integrating PWDs. There remains a paucity of literature that examines demand-side employment practices of integrating PWDs in the workplace.Objective:The present study comprehensively reviewed the demand-side employment literature to identify existing practices used to improve the integrating PWDs in the workplace.Methods:A scoping review was employed. Articles were retrieved from PsycInfo, Academic Search, Web-science, American Business Index, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global and published in English from January 1985 to August 2017.Findings:The scoping review yielded 19 articles. Three themes were identified as common and effective employer practices, including (a) policy and allegation, (b) internal and external partnerships, and (c) organizational top-down management diversity support.Conclusion:The findings of this scoping review provide collective information for integrating PWDs in the workplace. Findings shed some light on employer and rehabilitation counselors to engage and assist employers in promoting an inclusive workplace climate.