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Factors influencing workplace accommodations requests among employees with visual impairments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2021

Shengli Dong ,
Madison Mullins  and
Ian Ostrowicz
Shengli Dong*
Affiliation:
Florida State University
Madison Mullins
Affiliation:
Florida State University
Ian Ostrowicz
Affiliation:
Florida State University
*
*Corresponding author. Email: sdong3@fsu.edu
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Abstract

People with visual impairments experience various challenges in the workplace such as under-employment, structural, and attitudinal barriers. Workplace accommodations are instrumental in assisting individuals to complete essential functions of their jobs and to increase job tenure and satisfaction. However, workplace accommodations are under-utilized. The current study examined influences of psychosocial and demographic factors on decisions to request accommodations amongst people with visual impairments. Participants included 116 people with visual impairments (e.g., female = 63.9%, Caucasian = 81%) from agencies and organizations serving people with visual impairments within United States. The results following logistic regression show that increased levels of psychosocial factors (i.e., self-efficacy in requesting accommodations and goal setting, non-personal cost related to accommodation, knowledge related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and accommodation policies and procedures) predicted participants’ decision to request accommodations. In addition, participants aged 55 or more and those with a high school degree or lower were less likely to request accommodations. Rehabilitation interventions for enhancing work participation self-efficacy in employees with visual impairment, as well as knowledge on ADA and accommodation policies and procedures, would create a more inclusive and accepting work environment for employees with visual impairment.

Keywords

visual impairmentsworkplace accommodationrequestpsychological factorsdemographic factors
Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , December 2021 , pp. 90 - 101
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press and The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling

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Footnotes

We acknowledge that this manuscript is an original work that has not been submitted to nor published anywhere else. We have read and approved the paper and have met the criteria for authorship as established by the International Committee of Medical Journals Editors and the discussion provided by the International Committee of Medical Journal editors on overlapping publications.

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