The Workplace Experiences of Educators with Disabilities: Insights for School Leaders

Abstract

This study sought to describe the workplace experiences of educators with disabilities in their own words. The participants in the study were educators employed in a wide range of educational institutions, each of whom had one or more disabling illnesses. Various themes emerged from the study: (1) disabilities often were viewed as a source of social discrimination; (2) architectural barriers frequently presented obstacles; (3) accommodations were minimal; (4) invisible disabilities were usually concealed; (5) disabilities prompted overwork; and (6) disabilities limited career mobility in some cases. No differences were noted between responses from educators in elementary and secondary schools and those employed in college settings. Differences in responses were noted between respondents with visible and invisible disabilities. (Contains 16 endnotes.)