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Hiring Discrimination Against People with Disabilities Under the ADA: Characteristics of Employers

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Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction This article describes findings from a causal comparative study of the characteristics of employers against whom allegations of hiring discrimination were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) between 1992 and 2005. Methods Employer characteristics derived from 19,527 closed Hiring allegations are compared and contrasted to 259,680 closed allegations aggregated from six other prevalent forms of discrimination including Discharge and Constructive Discharge, Reasonable Accommodation, Disability Harassment and Intimidation, and Terms and Conditions of Employment. Tests of Proportion distributed as chi-square are used to form comparisons along a variety of factors including industry classification, size of workforce, and location. Results As compared to non-hiring allegations, hiring allegations were more likely to be filed against employers with 15–100 employees, in the West U.S. Census track region, or in industries including educational services; public administration; transportation and warehousing; professional, scientific, and technical services; agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting; and construction. Conclusion More outreach regarding ADA responsibilities appears indicated for those employers who share the aforementioned characteristics.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported through the VCU Coordination, Outreach and Research Center for the National Network of ADA Resource Centers, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education (PR# H133A060087). Appreciation is extended to Dr. Ronald Edwards, Office of Research, Information and Planning, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Database support was provided by Dr. Mehdi Mansouri.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 980330, Richmond, VA, 23298-0330, USA

    Brian T. McMahon, Jessica E. Hurley & Steven L. West

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Brian T. McMahon

  3. Disability Institute at Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

    Philip D. Rumrill Jr

  4. Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resources, and Communication Disorders, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR, USA

    Richard Roessler

  5. Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Fong Chan

  6. Department of Educational Foundations and Special Services, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

    Linnea Carlson

Authors
  1. Brian T. McMahon
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  2. Philip D. Rumrill Jr
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  3. Richard Roessler
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  4. Jessica E. Hurley
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  5. Steven L. West
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  6. Fong Chan
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  7. Linnea Carlson
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Correspondence to Brian T. McMahon.

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McMahon, B.T., Rumrill , P.D., Roessler, R. et al. Hiring Discrimination Against People with Disabilities Under the ADA: Characteristics of Employers. J Occup Rehabil 18, 112–121 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-008-9134-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-008-9134-3

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