title: Interviews with employed people with mobility impairments and limitations: environmental supports impacting work acquisition and satisfaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Less than 40% of people with disabilities work. Many studies have detailed the barriers to employment but few have examined the work experiences of those who are employed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A description of work conditions valued by a specific segment of employed people with disabilities is provided.
  
  
  METHODS
  Videotaped interviews of 33 successfully employed people with mobility impairments and limitations (PWMIL) were transcribed and analyzed to gather their perspectives on their work social and physical environments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Finding work was facilitated by family, friends and other social networks, vocational services, and prior education. Doing volunteer work, spending time at a paid and unpaid internship, and part-time work experiences were important aspects of job acquisition. Exterior and interior physical features were or had been made accessible. Expensive assistive technologies were paid for by the employee and their health insurance. Almost all personal assistance was provided by family, friends and co-workers. Work satisfaction included having a supportive employer, supportive co-workers, and flexible worksite policies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The interviews of employed PWMIL provide prospective employers and employees information on important social and physical work features that are needed to improve the possibilities for hiring people with disabilities and facilitating their successful careers.
authors.affiliation: Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsey C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.affiliation: Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Kerri A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D016134:Organizational Policy; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000191:economics; D012944:Social Support; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Employment success; assistive technology; co-worker; interviews; personal assistance; supervisor; worksite physical features