Importance of senior management commitment in maximizing employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities

The latest report from the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy (2011) stated that the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 21.1%. Of this number, 15.6% were unemployed. By comparison, the percentage of persons in the labor force with no disability was 69.7%. Of this 69.7%, only 8.5% were unemployed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010b), 15% of nondisabled persons surveyed reported that they were not comfortable working for or near persons with disabilities. Previous case studies have consistently indicated that persons with disabilities lack adequate access to corporate training and employment opportunities; that there are persistent myths and misconceptions about persons with disabilities; and that many in corporate management lack adequate knowledge of this pool of untapped human resources. By examining historically important case studies and scholarly writings, this dissertation provides evidence to refute widely held myths and misconceptions about persons with disabilities and show that senior corporate management commitment and advocacy play a significant role in maximizing employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities. Further, it explores the impact of assistive technology in helping persons with disabilities prior to employment and supporting them once they are part of the corporate world.