title: Perspectives of people with psychiatric disabilities on employment disclosure.
abstract: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 protects people with disabilities from employment discrimination. Under the ADA, employers must accommodate the known disabilities of a qualified employee or applicant. For persons with psychiatric disabilities, which are often invisible, the individual is required to make a conscious decision regarding disclosing their disability to an employer. The decision to disclose is very complex because the person needs to consider the possibility of confronting stigma and negative stereotypes. A qualitative study including a focus group and individual interviews was conducted to gather data from people with psychiatric disabilities/labels regarding employment disclosure. Major findings include the significant impact of disability identity (does the participant think they have a disability), and the importance of appropriate job matching as a disclosure strategy.
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University, 259 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-2340, USA. rlspirit@syr.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca Spirito
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Dalgin
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilbride
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002961:Civil Rights; D004651:Employment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D016832:Employment, Supported; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012649:Self Concept; D014342:Truth Disclosure