Researchers create framework for building “disability confidence” at work

Purpose: Many employers lack disability confidence about how to include people with disabilities in the workforce, which can lead to stigma and discrimination. This paper explores the concept of disability confidence from two perspectives - employers who hire people with a disability and employees with a disability. Design/methodology/approach: Thematic analysis was carried out of 35 semi-structured interviews (18 with employers who hire people with disabilities and 17 with employees with a disability). Findings: Four main themes emerged. First, disability discomfort arose from a lack of experience working with the disabled, resulting in stigma and discrimination. Second, disability confidence involved “reaching beyond comfort zones” to find new ways of thinking. Third, broader perspectives came from challenging stigma and stereotypes. Finally, disability confidence among employers was critical in developing an inclusive working culture. Originality/value: The issue is important because negative attitudes to disabled people are common and they lead to stigma and exclusion. But there has been very little research exploring both employers’ and employees’ perspectives