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Disabled People and Employment: Barriers to Potential Solutions

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Profiting from Diversity

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Abstract

Employment is very important for social integration and participation in society. In addition to providing an income and financial independence, employment provides a sense of identity and social status, an important source of (social) contacts and means of participating in society, as well as structuring the day, engaging in meaningful activity and having a purpose in life (Evans and Repper, 2000). Employment can also contribute to improving the quality of life and increasing self-esteem (Becker et al., 1996), improving mental and physical health and making (disabled) people more optimistic about their future (Evans and Repper, 2000). Conversely, a lack of employment opportunities reduces the likelihood of social integration (Jongbloed and Crichton, 1990) and contributes to perpetuating negative stereotypes that, for instance, mental health impairments prevent people working.

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Authors
  1. Marion Hersh
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bucks New University, UK

    Gloria Moss (Senior Lecturer) (Senior Lecturer)

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© 2010 Marion Hersh

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Hersh, M. (2010). Disabled People and Employment: Barriers to Potential Solutions. In: Moss, G. (eds) Profiting from Diversity. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230273887_12

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