January 26th, 2012
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Public release date: 26-Jan-2012
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Contact: Lori Wright
lori.wright@unh.edu
603-862-0574
University of New Hampshire
DURHAM, N.H. People with disabilities trying to find employment in the U.S. hospitality industry face employers who are often reluctant to hire them because of preconceived notions that they cannot do the job and that they are more costly to employ that people without disabilities, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire.
UNH researchers Andrew Houtenville, associate professor of economics and research director of the UNH Institute on Disability, and Valentini Kalargyrou, assistant professor of hospitality management, analyzed data from 320 hospitality companies in the United States, and found similar concerns and challenges regarding employment of people with disabilities. The researchers used the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Employer’s Survey as their data source.
The research is presented in the journal Cornell Hospitality Quarterly in the article “People with Disabilities: Employers’ Perspectives on Recruitment Practices, Strategies, and Challenges in Leisure and Hospitality.”
“We found prejudice, stereotyping, and limited choices in employment as employment barriers for people with disabilities, but the chief concern among those in this survey involved the bottom line,” said the researchers, who are both professors at the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics.
“The most frequently cited challenge or concern among hospitality and leisure companies is that the nature of the work is such that it cannot be effectively performed by people with disabilities, even though workplace accommodations are a tried-and-true method for addressing the nature of the work,” the researchers said. “The cost of accommodation is the second most frequently cited challenge or concern, even among companies that are proactive in employing people with disabilities.”
Employers also cited the cost of workers’ compensation, the nature of work, coworkers’ attitudes, discomfort and unfamiliarity, and lack of knowledge of the effectiveness of people with disabilities as employment barriers.
The researchers said offering tax credits to offset accommodation costs and productivity differences may encourage companies to employ people with disabilities.
“In addition, disability awareness training is frequently cited as a useful tool to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities. Such training would address and correct misconceptions such as the concern that those with disabilities lack the appropriate competencies to be effective in their jobs, are less productive, and are more accident-prone,” the researchers said.
“Preconceived notions about the nature of the work that people with disabilities can do and how to accommodate workers with disabilities is a major challenge, even among companies that actively recruit people with disabilities. Creating a disability-friendly culture that is favorable and supportive of employees with disabilities is paramount in overcoming biases and stereotypes. Leadership must invest in managerial training to improve the workplace culture and inform the workforce on benefits when working with people with disabilities,” they said.
The UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics offers a full complement of high-quality programs in business, economics, accounting, finance, information systems management, marketing, and hospitality management. Programs are offered at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive development levels. The school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the premier accrediting agency for business schools worldwide.
The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Its mission is to strengthen communities to ensure full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons.
The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state’s flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.
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January 26th, 2012
UNH researchers Andrew Houtenville, associate professor of economics and research director of the UNH Institute on Disability, and Valentini Kalargyrou, assistant professor of hospitality management, analyzed data from 320 hospitality companies in the United States, and found similar concerns and challenges regarding employment of people with disabilities. The researchers used the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Employer’s Survey as their data source.
The research is presented in the journal Cornell Hospitality Quarterly in the article “People with Disabilities: Employers’ Perspectives on Recruitment Practices, Strategies, and Challenges in Leisure and Hospitality.”
“We found prejudice, stereotyping, and limited choices in employment as employment barriers for people with disabilities, but the chief concern among those in this survey involved the bottom line,” said the researchers, who are both professors at the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics.
“The most frequently cited challenge or concern among hospitality and leisure companies is that the nature of the work is such that it cannot be effectively performed by people with disabilities, even though workplace accommodations are a tried-and-true method for addressing the nature of the work,” the researchers said. “The cost of accommodation is the second most frequently cited challenge or concern, even among companies that are proactive in employing people with disabilities.”
Employers also cited the cost of workers’ compensation, the nature of work, coworkers’ attitudes, discomfort and unfamiliarity, and lack of knowledge of the effectiveness of people with disabilities as employment barriers.
The researchers said offering tax credits to offset accommodation costs and productivity differences may encourage companies to employ people with disabilities.
“In addition, disability awareness training is frequently cited as a useful tool to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities. Such training would address and correct misconceptions such as the concern that those with disabilities lack the appropriate competencies to be effective in their jobs, are less productive, and are more accident-prone,” the researchers said.
“Preconceived notions about the nature of the work that people with disabilities can do and how to accommodate workers with disabilities is a major challenge, even among companies that actively recruit people with disabilities. Creating a disability-friendly culture that is favorable and supportive of employees with disabilities is paramount in overcoming biases and stereotypes. Leadership must invest in managerial training to improve the workplace culture and inform the workforce on benefits when working with people with disabilities,” they said.
Provided by University of New Hampshire (news : web)
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January 24th, 2012
The 2011 Caregiver Award was presented to Dave Dias at the Invisible Disabilities Association Honor Awards Banquet. Dave is a business leader (www.DaveDias.com) and caregiver to his wife, Irene (http Also in this video is Master of Ceremonies, DJ Rick Crandall of KEZW Radio www.Studio1430.com The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) encourages, educates and connects people and organizations touched by illness, pain and disability around the globe. Invisible Disabilities Association www.InvisibleDisabilities.org My Invisible Disabilities Community www.InvisibleDisabilitiesCommunity.org Invisible No More TV www.InvisibleNoMore.tv IDA on YouTube www.YouTube.com IDA on Facebook: www.Facebook.com Invisible Disabilities Shirts and More: www.IDAstuff.com IDA on Twitter twitter.com Views expressed within this video are not necessarily the views of IDA nor any of our affiliates.
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January 24th, 2012
WEST ORANGE, NJ–(Marketwire -01/24/12)- Kessler Foundation awarded a $250,000 Signature Employment Grant to Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE), headquartered in Jersey City, N.J., to advance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This Signature Grant is part of the more than $2.7 million in grants awarded by the Foundation in 2011; since 2005, the Foundation has distributed more than $20 million in funding.
HCE is a three-time recipient of a Signature Grant. The Foundation’s funding supported the growth of HCE’s successful full service document management operation. Now a $5-million company, HCE began with a small shredding business — Metro Shredding — and then added Metro Scanning, and Metro Digital Document Solutions.
Today, this social enterprise provides more than 90 jobs with benefits for people with disabilities, and occupies three locations totaling 10,000 sq feet. Individuals undergo a rigorous assessment and nine-week training program to help them succeed as document specialists.
Despite the economy, HCE continues to grow and hire qualified people with disabilities. “HCE has become a self-sustaining sought-after company,” said Rodger DeRose, president and CEO of Kessler Foundation, “while fulfilling a need in society.”
This Signature Grant enables HCE to establish the final phase of the business — Enterprise Content Management (ECM). By opening in Trenton, they plan to capitalize on the needs of state offices.
HCE president Maureen Walliser attributes the successful job creation to “combining for-profit sensibilities with a non-profit mission.”
Kessler Foundation’s Signature Employment Grants fund pilot initiatives, demonstration projects and social ventures that lead to the generation of new ideas to solve the high unemployment and underemployment of individuals with disabilities. The 2011 cycle was the first year that Signature Grants expanded nationally. The next deadline for applications is Feb. 3, 2012.
About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation is the largest public charity in the field of disability. Kessler Foundation Research Center advances care through rehabilitation research to improve quality of life for persons with disabilities. Kessler Foundation Program Center fosters new approaches to the persistently high rates of unemployment among people with disabilities across the nation. Find us at KesslerFoundation.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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January 24th, 2012
WEST ORANGE, NJ–(Marketwire -01/24/12)- Kessler Foundation awarded $250,000 Signature Employment Grant to the National Telecommuting Institute (NTI), Inc., based in Boston, M.A., to train and place 400 people with severe disabilities in telework positions. This Signature Grant is part of the more than $2.7 million in grants awarded by the Foundation in 2011 to benefit people with disabilities. This is the first year that the signature grants expanded from N.J. to organizations across the U.S. Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in disability employment grants.
NTI aims to place 400 individuals with mobility impairments as agents for home-based call centers in the next two years. Main employers are Alpine Access, Sutherland Global, TelePerformance, and the IRS. Agents help callers select government forms and publications, provide product information, make hotel reservations, resolve billing problems and access technical assistance for cell phone, cable and internet services.
“Kessler Foundation supports programs that provide alternatives to traditional employment for individuals with disabilities,” said Rodger DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation. “We know that some people with disabilities have limited access to reliable transportation. This telework option provides alternatives for many people with disabilities to work independently and support themselves.”
NTI’s long-term goal is to make thousands of telework placements per year, and help meet the tremendous demand for home-based jobs among people with severe mobility impairments.
Awarded yearly, Kessler Foundation’s two-year Signature Employment Grants fund pilot initiatives, demonstration projects or social ventures that lead to the generation of new ideas to solve the high unemployment and underemployment of individuals with disabilities. The next deadline for applications is Feb. 3, 2012. According to the 2010 Kessler Foundation/NOD Survey of Employment of Americans with Disabilities, only 21 percent are employed.
About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation is the largest public charity in the field of disability. Kessler Foundation Research Center advances care through rehabilitation research to improve quality of life for persons with spinal cord and brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions. Kessler Foundation Program Center fosters new approaches to the persistently high rates of unemployment among people with disabilities across the nation.
Find us at KesslerFoundation.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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January 22nd, 2012
Chinese English devotee website: www.mucanzhe.net , is a completely free platform, a large number of people with disabilities every day pictures updated information resources from around the world Website www.mucanzhe.net
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January 22nd, 2012
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration is slated to get back $25.7 million in the coming fiscal year that it lost this year through specious accounting.
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January 22nd, 2012
COSHOCTON — The Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities will meet Wednesday, immediately after the reorganization and ethics council meetings which begin at 5 p.m. in Hopewell School’s conference room.
New items on the agenda include approval of contracts, DD Awareness Month, annual auction, new logo and new signs for the annex building.
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January 20th, 2012
Chinese English devotee website: www.mucanzhe.net , is a completely free platform, a large number of people with disabilities every day pictures updated information resources from around the world Website www.mucanzhe.net
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January 20th, 2012
VANCOUVER – The trust of families who relied on Community Living B.C. has been shaken, the minister in charge admitted as three separate reports released Thursday called for changes for services for adults with developmental disabilities.
The government poured another $40 million into the Crown agency’s budget Thursday, an amount that doesn’t come close to the $65 million advocates have said is needed at minimum.
One of the reviews, an audit conducted by officials within the Ministry of Finance, found parents of adults with disabilities were overwhelmed by a confusing new web of criteria and red tape that they had to navigate to gain services for their children once they turned 18.
Furthermore, the audit found the list used by the agency to keep track of those getting services and those that needed them was virtually useless because it wasn’t regularly updated and many people were put on it in anticipation of needing services.
“The current state of the request for service list makes it impossible for Community Living British Columbia to identify the unmet demand for its services or estimate the amount of funding required to fulfil all the service requests,” the report said.
Social Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux has been meeting with families for months after the concerns about the agency’s practices prompted widespread worry, including public, critical statements from two government backbenchers.
The agency provides services to about 13,000 people and Cadieux said Thursday one of the main themes from those she spoke to seemed to be confusion over access to services.
Premier Christy Clark said $18 million will go towards operating funds for CLBC, $10 million will be spent on day programs and employment programs for those with disabilities and $12 million for caseload increases will go toward a comprehensive plan to improve the services.
The money is in addition to the extra $10 million the government added to the social development ministry’s budget in September.
In addition to the extra funding, the government said it will work to streamline and integrate services, give families a bigger role in planning care for loved ones, and provide an appeal process
Clark said the agency will move away from a one-size-fits-all model for the individual.
“That was one of the profound flaws in the way CLBC was operating,” she told reporters.
“They didn’t, as an organization, fully understand what the needs of the population they were serving were going to be. That’s one of the things that absolutely must be fixed.”
Meantime, Faith Bodnar, executive director of the BC Association for Community Living, a non-profit group dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities, said the $40 million isn’t enough but is a start.
“Are we satisfied with $40 million? No. Are we appreciative of it? Yes,” said Bodnar. “But we think we’ve identified $35 million a year just to keep up with the new people coming into service.”
NDP leader Adrian Dix said the CLBC overhaul doesn’t go far enough. He also called for an external review of the agency instead of relying on information collected internally by government bureaucrats.
“It’s the same set of deputy ministers, some of the names have changed but (they’re) the same positions who are doing the review of their own policies,” he said.
Cadieux said she’s confident the changes will improve the lives of families and individuals using the services.
“Above and beyond everything that I’ve heard, though, the message that really came through was that their trust in CLBC had been shaken.”
Cadieux said the top-to-bottom reviews of services concluded that CLBC’s original vision of helping those with developmental disabilities is still valuable.
“In some cases CLBC did indeed lose sight of its core values, which created stress and anxiety for families. That was something we heard loud and clear and we’re deeply concerned by,” she said.
Clark said it took some time for the problem to grow, and it will take some time to fix.
“The plan we’re releasing today is not a knee-jerk solution, it’s not a political solution, it’s a policy solution and an important one.”
(News 1130)
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