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ABSTRACT
This study extends employability research by investigating how individuals with visible and non-visible disabilities may view attributes and employability (attribute) deficits compared to non-disabled individuals. An online questionnaire was completed by 518 participants. Results indicate a significant difference in employability perceptions for individuals with a non-visible disability regarding attributes. Additionally, a significant difference in employability (attribute) deficits between disabled individuals non-disabled and between disabled individuals with visible and non-visible disabilities.
Keywords: disability, non-visible disability, attribute deficit, employability, recruiting
INTRODUCTION
Assessment of individuals employability is a judgment about the sum of their objective knowledge, skills, and abilities, and subjective perceptions of other attributes or characteristics (KSAO) and the extent to which these are valued by employers (Bangerter et al., 2012). Individuals seek to sway judgments of employability by highlighting positive KSAOs and concealing or minimizing negatively perceived KSAOs to influence positive employment outcomes (Higgins & Judge, 2004). Through training, individuals with disabilities are able to develop KSAOs, such as effective communication, and thereby achieve greater success and satisfaction in employability (Lu et al. 2020). Nevertheless, individuals with disabilities are more likely to conceal those disabilities, if not visibly apparent, when seeking employment due to potential negative perceptions (Mills, 2017).
Individuals with disabilities have over twice the rate of unemployment compared to those without disabilities (Erickson et al., 2016) Unemployment or underemployment are widespread issues (Stephens et al, 2005). Insufficient KSAOs, so called soft skills in particular, are the most common reason individuals with disabilities face challenges with employability (Mueser et al, 2001). Given those challenges of disabled populations, especially for those with non-visible disabilities (Kocman et al., 2018), understanding their perceptions of positive and negative KSAOs may help to identify potential impacts on job interview and length of job search outcomes (Oursler et al., 2019).
Previous research has investigated perceptions of employability for disabled and non-disabled individuals (Ju et al., 2014). Kocman et al. (2018) suggested further investigation is needed with respect to differences in perceptions of employability, especially within disabled person subgroups. Given the impact of disability status related to potential perceptions of employability, the overarching purpose of this study is to investigate value differences in employability perceptions within disabled populations and between disabled and non-disabled populations.
HYPOTHESIS DEVELOPMENT
Attribute-based Employability and Disability...