Big firms are failing to reduce unconscious bias against disabled people. Was this true for you? Please share in the comments below!

Working for a big company or in an HR role does not lower the likelihood of showing unconscious bias against disabled people at work, a new study finds
Working for a big company or in an HR role does not lower the likelihood of showing unconscious bias against disabled people at work, a new study finds


Working for a big company or in an HR role does not lower the likelihood of showing unconscious bias against disabled people at work, a new study finds.

Researchers say this is ‘surprising’ because of the money many large firms spend on EDI and unconscious bias training – in 2017 up to $8bn in the US alone – and the fact HR professionals are often specifically trained in EDI issues.

The research, a collaboration between the University of Exeter’s Business School and Medical School and funded through The Inclusivity Project, is also the first to link health status and unconscious bias, with lower levels of unconscious bias against disabled people found among those with a lower health status.

The study also found women to be less biased against disabled people than men.

Around half of the study’s 108 participants, recruited from businesses across the South West, either worked in HR or were involved in making recruitment decisions in their roles, while 50% reported working for a small to medium-sized enterprise.

They were required to perform a number of tasks, including answering questions on their own disability status and past experiences of interacting with people with a disability.

They also completed the Health Related Quality of Life survey – which focuses on an individual’s quality of mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression – as well as taking the Implicit Association Test (IAT).

The IAT uncovers unconscious attitudes by measuring how quickly people link stimuli such as pictures of disabled and non-disabled people to positive or negative words.

Just under three-quarters of the participants showed some level of implicit bias against disabled people in favour of non-disabled people, a figure in line with existing research studies.

But the researchers found that levels of unconscious bias against disabled people were roughly the same whether participants worked for a large company or an SME.

Working in HR or in a role where you make recruitment and retention decisions was also found not to have a significant effect on implicit bias.

The finding that participants’ own disability or health status was associated with lower implicit bias is consistent with previous studies on race or gender that show people are less biased towards groups they belong to or identify with, the researchers say.

Reducing implicit bias against disabled people requires greater disability representation in the workplace, the researchers recommend.

Dr Daniel Derbyshire, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Exeter and lead author of the study, said: “It is clear that there is a need for greater disability representation – especially within HR and at senior levels where people make hiring decisions – and that bridging this gap in representation may improve both attitudes towards disabled people and the disability employment gap.

“Addressing negative attitudes towards disabled people in the workplace should be a high priority for policy makers interested in the disability employment gap.”

Large companies may now need to rethink their EDI strategies to address the findings, the researchers suggest.

“It is surprising that neither working for a large company nor being involved in HR have a significant effect on implicit attitudes towards disabled people, which require deeper and more structural reimagining of paradigms and modes of thinking with respect to disability to meaningfully change,” said Dr Derbyshire.

“This may suggest that the current efforts of large companies compared to SMEs are not effective at reducing implicit bias and that current strategies require rethinking.”

How to Live an Independent Life When Using a Wheelchair

Adapting to life with a disability can feel overwhelming, as you might fear you will be stripped of your independence. Using a wheelchair will result in various physical limitations, but there are ways to overcome the hurdles you will face and enjoy a better quality of life.

If you want to not only survive but thrive with a disability, read the following advice on how to live an independent life when using a wheelchair.

Learn How to Use a Wheelchair

Mastering a wheelchair will take time and experience. You will need to develop a rhythm, make mistakes along the way, and practice maneuvers to feel confident in the chair. It might feel frustrating when using a wheelchair for the first time, but you must have some patience and persevere.

Also, you might find helpful training in your city or online, which can help you learn the basics and even some complex or skillful moves. If you are unsure where to visit, ask your doctor for more information.

Buy or Hire a Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle

You might worry about how you will travel from A to B without a car. However, you can buy or hire a wheelchair-accessible vehicle from alliedmobility.com, for example, which will allow you to make short or long journeys without hassle or fuss. It is the best way to maintain an independent lifestyle, as you can visit loved ones with ease, go shopping regularly, and enjoy fun days out during your spare time.

Join a Disability Support Group

A disability support group provides members with many benefits. Talking to others will make you feel less alone with a disability, as you will realize many people face the same challenges and emotions as you. In addition to sharing stories and struggles, you will likely find various helpful solutions to help you enjoy more daily independence and process your new way of life.

Download Wheelchair Access Apps

It is natural to worry if a venue is wheelchair-accessible before you arrive, as unfortunately, not all restaurants, stores, and buildings will be. Eliminate fears in advance by downloading helpful apps to find wheelchair-accessible places. Great app options include WheelMap, Wheely, WheelMate, and Google Maps, to name but a few apps.

Exercise Regularly & Play Sports

Exercise allows you to lead a more independent lifestyle when using a wheelchair. For example, weightlifting and cardio will improve your upper body strength and resilience, which will help you to lift items with ease and improve your wheelchair speed and technique.

Completing various exercises or fun activities with other wheelchair users will allow you to challenge yourself while lifting your mood and providing a sense of satisfaction. For instance, you can go swimming or participate in a team sport, such as basketball, rugby, tennis, or fencing. Many sports can be modified for wheelchair users, and if you can’t find a team in your neighborhood, consider creating one to play your favorite sport with other wheelchair users.

What’s ahead for people with disabilities in the post-pandemic workplace?

Experts report on employment and vocational rehabilitation considerations for people with disabilities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic across health, work, and education in this special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation

Autism and work

 COVID-19 has wrought havoc on the global economy and the world’s public health systems. People with disabilities are more likely to suffer severe cases of the disease. Experts advocate in this special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation that vocational rehabilitation across the major life phases of health, work, and education must focus on access to technology and home-based employment and ensure people with disabilities are prepared for the new global workplace.

To date, 500,000 Americans who have acquired COVID-19 have died, making it the current leading cause of death in the United States with over 2.4 million deaths worldwide. Individuals with some types of disabilities, especially those with multiple disadvantages, and depending on race/ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, and gender, have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic. They are more likely to acquire COVID-19 than the general population and more likely to experience severe or fatal symptoms. They are also affected by the changes in the workplace.

This special issue highlights research and scholarship that address important implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath for the disability community and for rehabilitation professionals. It is guest-edited by Phillip D. Rumrill, Jr., PhD, CRC, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Lynn C. Koch, PhD, CRC, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR; and David R. Strauser, PhD, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL.

In the United States, all non-essential personnel whose employment was not terminated began working remotely from home in March 2020. However, individuals with developmental disabilities employed in community jobs during this time experienced several barriers. Most of these individuals work in entry level positions such as restaurant and retail jobs, and these were some of the first industries to shut their doors during the pandemic. This population experienced a greater likelihood of being out of work and without pay early in the pandemic.

“The experience of disability and how work is conducted in the American economy are undergoing new shifts in response to the pandemic,” explained the co-Guest Editors. “The nature of work has changed dramatically during the pandemic, and it may remain altered for many years to come. There are fewer available jobs due to business closings in many sectors of the economy, however, there are more jobs available in other sectors such as technology, information processing, healthcare, food preparation and delivery, and manufacturing.”

“Many people with disabilities are at increased risk of experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19, and self-isolation to protect themselves from contracting the virus can lead to loneliness and despair,” noted co-Guest Editor Phillip D. Rumrill, Jr. “Vocational rehabilitation responses during the pandemic must focus on access to technology and home-based employment, as well as the need for people with disabilities to avoid contracting the virus.”

Articles in this issue address considerations for individuals with developmental disabilities across health, work, and education, such as:

  • The effects the pandemic has had on employment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Results of a COVID-era survey revealing significant levels of worry about health and job loss among people with disabilities and other health conditions
  • The employment impact of the pandemic on Americans with multiple sclerosis and differences in the employment experiences and concerns of Latinx Americans and Caucasian Americans with multiple sclerosis, applied to the current global public health crisis
  • Understanding the impact of isolation and social distancing among working-age adults with spinal cord injuries
  • Validity and clinical utility of a scale to measure work adjustment among people with disabilities during COVID-19
  • Differential service patterns and employment outcomes among transition-age youth with learning disabilities who received services from the state-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation program, including a discussion of the COVID implications of their findings
  • Impact of universal design, a set of strategies that creates places and resources that are accessible to all

“The pandemic has activated and intensified the technology gap, as people with disabilities often lack access to needed technology, and as rehabilitation services need to be administered virtually,” commented co-Guest Editor Lynn C. Koch, PhD, CRC. “Vocational rehabilitation professionals have had to help consumers secure unemployment benefits and other support such as food security, rent subsidy, and childcare. Managing employment while having other family responsibilities, like children studying at home, has also been a challenge.”

“We expect the US and global economies to rebound significantly in 2021,” added co-Guest Editor David R. Strauser, PhD. “Challenges will focus on making sure people with disabilities are prepared for the new global workplace and the changed nature of work.”

“Vocational rehabilitation professionals have learned to deliver high quality services virtually,” concluded the Guest Editors, “The next steps are for technology to be used to promote worker productivity, and for employers to recognize that work can be done remotely in many cases. In the post-COVID recovery, all available workers will be needed to get the economy restarted. This will include people with disabilities.”


For job seekers with disabilities, soft skills don’t impress in early interviews

Rutgers research also finds discussing salary early in the interview process hurts all candidates

A new study by Rutgers University researchers finds that job candidates with disabilities are more likely to make a positive first impression on prospective employers when they promote technical skills rather than soft skills, such as their ability to lead others.

The findings, published in the International Journal of Conflict Management, contrast this with the results for candidates without disabilities who were positively evaluated when they highlighted either hard or soft skills during initial job interviews.

“Job interviews are challenging for everyone, but particularly so for people with disabilities who have always had difficulties presenting themselves favorably to gain employment,” said Rutgers Business School professor Mason Ameri.

“People with disabilities encounter an implicit bias that they will not be as productive as their non-disabled peers,” said Ameri, who co-authored the study. “Knowing how to navigate the conversation with potential employers is critical for leveling the playing field.”

In three studies, 1,711 participants watched videos of candidates – either visibly seated in a wheelchair or not – using influence tactics to answer an opening question during an interview for a project manager position. Participants were asked to rate their perceptions of the job candidate’s employability and appropriate level of salary, as well as how trustworthy they appeared.

Among the findings:

  • Employability: For candidates without disabilities, discussion of hard skills or soft skills led to more favorable perceptions. While the expression of hard skills similarly improved the employability rating of the candidate with the disability, discussion of soft skills did not.
  • Pay: When candidates with disabilities discussed salary early in the job interview, it appeared to hurt them more than when candidates without disabilities raised the same topic. Still, even for candidates without disabilities, announcing a salary figure so early in the process seemed to be off-putting in terms of whether they should get the job at all.
  • Trustworthiness: Candidates with disabilities were not viewed as trustworthy regardless of the tactic they used. For candidates without disabilities, ratings of trustworthiness increased when they discussed hard or soft skills. However, other tactics such as signaling alternative offers or suggesting a salary figure did not have the same positive effect.

“Influence tactics such as emphasizing your skills and abilities are a good idea but don’t necessarily work the same way for everyone,” said Terri Kurtzberg, co-author and professor at Rutgers Business School. “Instead, people with disabilities should focus on job-related hard skills and competencies instead of softer skills and warmth. This choice accelerated positive impressions of employability.”


How blood and wealth can predict future disability

Antiphospholipid syndrome

Blood tests for ‘biomarkers’ such as cholesterol and inflammation could predict whether you will be disabled in five years – according to research from the University of East Anglia.

A new study shows how people’s biological health can predict disability and healthcare demand in five years’ time.

But the researchers also found that people on higher-incomes were more likely to seek GP appointments and outpatient treatments for their medical problems – with evidence of pro-rich inequity across all types of health service use.

Dr Apostolos Davillas from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “We know that the poorest people in England miss out on more than a decade of good health compared with the richest.

“We wanted to find out more about the links between people’s social status and their future health – and see whether blood tests could predict future disability and use of health care services.”

The researchers looked at elevated bloodstream ‘biomarkers’ – these are the tell-tale markers linked to different diseases, and they are an objective measure of health.

Biomarkers can tell researchers a lot about what is going on in people’s bodies – even before symptoms of disease begin. Testing for ‘bad’ cholesterol in the bloodstream for example can show a risk of heart disease.

Dr Davillas’ previous research has shown how biomarkers for stress are linked with socioeconomic position and revealed some of the hidden mechanisms connecting social inequality to health.

The researchers studied blood biomarkers from 5,286 participants involved in Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study.

They looked at things like cholesterol, liver and kidney function and inflammation – the body’s response to infections or chronic stress.

They also looked at measures of obesity, grip strength, resting heart rate, blood pressure, and lung function among the participants.

Dr Davillas said: “What we found is that underlying biomarker differences are linked with future disability – and that we could actually predict people’s level of disability in five years’ time, based on the biomarkers in their blood.

“We also found that people’s biological health is linked with future demand on healthcare services such as GP and outpatient consultations, as well as time spent in hospital.

“We tried to investigate the mechanism for why this happens and found that people with impaired biological health may develop disability in five years’ time – resulting in increased health care and social needs.”

But as a by-product of the analysis, the team found that people with higher incomes were more likely to seek the health care they need for their medical problems. This means that there is pro-rich inequity in health care use.

“In a publicly funded health care system, pro-rich inequity in health care use may be because people on lower low-incomes are heavily time-constrained, due to harsher employment and living arrangements, and may be more constrained in seeking the health care they need,” Said Dr Davillas.

The team say their work has important policy implications, particularly for screening programmes and prevention strategies.

Dr Davillas said: “We found that the markers which matter most for disability progression are associated with lung function, grip strength, obesity, anaemia, stress-related hormones and liver function.

“Indicators such as blood pressure and cholesterol, which are the current focus of public health screening programs, are less useful as predictors of disability.

“The NHS England Health Check program mainly offers blood pressure, cholesterol tests and BMI measurements every five years to those aged 40-74.

“But our research shows that a broader set of blood-based biomarkers should be considered for public health screening programmes.

“This is increasingly feasible using dried blood spot sampling – drops of whole blood collected on filter paper from a finger prick – which offers a minimally invasive basis for carrying out a wide range of blood tests at low cost.

“We also focused our study on people who were apparently healthy, so they wouldn’t normally be prioritised by the health care system. We hope our findings could lead to better policies for prevention strategies – which could potentially help the NHS save money.

“Moreover, our results show pro-rich inequity across all types of health service use.

“We hope our findings will help lead to policies to secure more equal health care opportunities across the UK.”