Date of Graduation
12-2011
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Education (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders
Advisor/Mentor
Williams, Brent T.
Committee Member
Roessler, Richard T.
Second Committee Member
Lincoln, Felicia F.
Third Committee Member
Kissinger, Daniel B.
Keywords
Attitudes; Disability; Disclosure; Employment; Ethics; Invisible disabilities; Rehabilitation
Abstract
Rehabilitation professionals, persons with disabilities and employers were asked to participate in a focus group interview exploring the phenomena of disclosing invisible disabilities during the interview process. This Qualitative study examined disclosure of disability from each stakeholder's perspective in an effort to understand its impact on the interview. After transcribing the focus group interview and analyzing the data; five themes emerged reflecting each stakeholder's views on disclosure. The themes revealed the persistence of attitudinal barriers that people with disabilities face in seeking employment; if and when a person should disclose; what are the positive and negative aspects of disclosure and what can be done by the stakeholders to mitigate the process. The research revealed that the decision to disclose is a complex phenomenon and should be seriously contemplated prior to making this decision. This research will guide the process to determine if disclosure of invisible disabilities is appropriate for the person during the interview and will impact how rehabilitation professionals prepare and counsel clients on disclosure.
Citation
Sassin, J. E. (2011). Disclosing an Invisible Disability During the Interview Process: A Qualitative Study. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/132
