“I’m the only one that knows what I can and can’t do.”: Shaping identities through disability accommodation discussions

This research project sought to understand experiences people with disabilities have when disclosing disability in the workplace for accommodations and how those experiences influenced identity formation. Utilizing a feminist disability theory framework, this project involved using semi-structured interviews with 13 people with cognitive and physical disabilities to learn more about their experiences across several organizational fields. Analysis of these interviews pointed to barriers within the workplace when navigating accommodation discussions based on relationships with others, degree of disability support in the organization, and understanding of disability experiences and accommodation needs. When accommodations are genuinely fulfilled, employees with disabilities feel supported and empowered; when they are not fulfilled, employees with disabilities feel excluded, vulnerable, and like an inconvenience. This research sheds light onto some experiences with disabilities and provides meaningful suggestions for organization leaders seeking an inclusive and welcoming environment for people with disabilities.

Grantor dc:publisher

Kansas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Milburn, Lindsey H.

• People with disabilities
• Workplace accommodations
• Disability
• Identity
• Empowerment
• Accommodation

Statement dc:rights

• © the author. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/2097/39750

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:krex.k-state.edu:2097/39750