Future Directions in Employment, Occupational Rehabilitation, and Disability: Introduction to the Special Section

Abstract

disabilities into society. The implications for policymakers, public and private sector stakeholders, and occupational rehabilitation professionals are presented to help inform future policies, practices, and strategies to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.During the past 25 years, people with disabilities have experienced marked improvements in economic, social, and community participation [1]. In part, these advancements are due to improving policy frameworks and laws, occupational and vocational rehabilitation strategies, and corporate practices in support of a more diverse and inclusive workforce. In the United States, for instance, employment rates of people with disabilities continue to rise and presently are experiencing the longest continuous stretch of month over month increases [2].Community participation research similarly documents increasingly positive experiences, resulting from increases in physical accessibility [3] to access to the Internet [4]. Public and private policies aimed at inclusion also have made a difference, such as through governmental implementation of disability antidiscrimination laws [5] and private sector efforts related to inclusive corporate cultures [6]. Occupational rehabilitation professionals' contributions to improving inclusion likewise include advances in on-the-ground and micro-level programs, such as return-to-work and workplace injury-prevention programs [7,8].Despite this positive momentum, research continues to show that such advances have not eliminated the significant disparities in economic and community participation between people with and without disabilities; for example, in the United States, labor force participation rates for people with disabilities still stand at 21% as compared to 69% for people without disabilities [9], and essential avenues to community engagement and civic participation lag [10].Abstract Purpose From an array of disciplinary perspectives, the articles in this special section examine opportunities and challenges in the economic, social, and civic participation of individuals across the spectrum of disabilities. Methods At multiple levels of analysis, the contributors consider employment law and policy frameworks, occupational and vocational rehabilitation strategies, and corporate practices in support of the full and equal inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Results and ConclusionsThe implications for policymakers, public and private sector stakeholders, and occupational rehabilitation professional are presented to help inform future policies, practices, and strategies to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

Employment for Persons with Disabilities in Thailand: Opportunities and Challenges in the Labor Market

“…(3) reasonable accommodations and funding as premises and equipment grant for employers and interagency collaboration among stakeholders such as policymakers, public and private sectors must be considered to maximize employment opportunity for PWDs; and (4) cost of travel to work and equipment for employed PWDs should be supported (Barnes, 1992;Blanck & Adya, 2017;Mueser et al, 2016;World Health Organization, 2011;Yell et al, 2017).…”

“…The ultimate goal in promoting employment for PWDs is to fully integrate strategies that include community-based employment, competitive employment, and an open labor market approach. However, individual placement and support (IPS), supported or customized employment as well as sheltered workshops, and forms of restrictive employment are still important alternative ways for some groups of PWDs who have significant or severe disabilities (Blanck & Adya, 2017;Mueser et al, 2016;Yell et al, 2017). Some critical challenges of effective employment still exist, such as stigmatization and discrimination against PWDs, and associated gender aspects (Gonzalez-Rabanal, 2012;Langer & Ferguson, 2020).…”

Gig Workers with Disabilities: Opportunities, Challenges, and Regulatory Response

“…As the rates of gig workers with disabilities are rising [ 55 , 56 ], the economic vulnerabilities of gig workers are coming under increasing regulatory scrutiny [ 57 ]. As said, gig work often serves as a necessary dual or second part-time source of income.…”

The Identification of Acquired Disabilities in the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development Countries: A Scoping Review of Impact on Employment Outcomes

“…In most OECD countries since the 1990s, the participation rate of people with a disability in the workforce has remained constantly around 30% lower than those without (Bezyak et al 2018;Blanck & Adya 2017;Barnes & Mercer 2005;Zana et al 2023). This is despite increased antidiscrimination legislations, modern technology, and recent flexible employment arrangements in these countries (Brongers et al 2020;Zana et al 2023).…”