Obstacles to success in the workplace for people with disabilities: a review and research agenda

Abstract

Our objectives in this article were to summarize research relevant to obstacles that people with disabilities face in the workplace and to identify directions for future research on the topic. We included review, theoretical, and empirical articles in management journals and those in psychology or rehabilitation journals if they had clear workplace implications. We argue that obstacles identified in prior research may only partially reflect organizational reality. This is because of the heavy reliance on laboratory studies, which we urge researchers to replicate in organizational settings. A better understanding of obstacles will lead to more evidence-based solutions for human resource development (HRD) practitioners to create a less exclusionary workplace wherein all employees are provided opportunities to use their talent.