“It opened up a whole new world for me”: Experiences of military commanders in employing individuals with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background Research on supported employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities has focused mainly on its effect on employees. Scant research has assessed the influence on employers and on the work setting. This study focused on a unique program to foster the employment of individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Israeli military and examined the effect of the program on the employers (military commanders) and on the military units. Method Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 28 military commanders. Results Four themes illustrate the influence of people with intellectual disabilities on the military units in which they work: (a) functioning of the military unit, (b) effect on other soldiers, (c) effect on commanders, and (d) effect on attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities. Conclusions Results suggest that employing soldiers with intellectual disabilities has beneficial effects on both commanders and the military units, although some negative attitudes remain and merit interventions.

Workplace-Related Socioeconomic Issues Associated with Job Performance and Productivity among Employees with Various Impairments: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Productivity and job performance among employees with impairments/disabilities are research questions that have not been answered yet in psychology, human development, sociology, social work, and so on. Other disability-related issues such as policies, rights, quality of life, job satisfaction, the unemployment rate of people with disabilities (PWDs) and caregivers, and employers' attitudes toward their willingness to hire PWDs were discussed in many studies (Alkaabi 2022;Anderson et al 2021;Bastas and Altinay 2019;Butterworth et al 2020;Chajduga and Ingaldi 2021;Choi et al 2018;King and Waghorn 2018;Ochrach et al 2022;Pihlajamäki et al 2020;Rotaru et al 2021;Werner and Hochman 2019).…”