People with visual impairment in outward-facing work: Developing a tool to measure employer attitudes.
Work
; 73(3): 1075-1083, 2022.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2116728
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Over the years, persons with disabilities have suffered unjustifiably due to a low employment rate, largely the result of unsupportive and negative attitude from employers. Such attitudes are exacerbated during periods of economic stress, with a case par excellence being the current COVID-19 pandemic. Prior studies have addressed common concerns of employers within the workplace. However, the dimensions of these concerns extend beyond the internal working environment, to the outward-facing work environment, involving interactions with customers and suppliers. These concerns have not, thus far, been properly addressed.OBJECTIVE:
To develop the Service from People With Visual Impairment (SPVI) psychometric measure, a 6-item employers' attitude assessment tool.METHODS:
This study is based on 1,036 questionnaires collected using Online Panel Data (OPD), from managers who have hiring authority. We performed Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) for discriminant and convergent validity. Finally, we present an empirical model comprising a stable single factor and establish predictive validity using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).RESULTS:
CFA showed good fit to the observed data; CMIN/DFâ=â1.94, pâ>â0.05, CFIâ=â1, TLIâ=â0.99, NFIâ=â1, RMSEAâ=â0.03. SEM showed good fit; CMIN/DFâ=â1.91, CFIâ=â1, TLIâ=â0.99, NFIâ=â0.99, RMSEAâ=â0.03.CONCLUSION:
The results suggest that the instrument could become a pragmatic tool to assess employer attitudes to employ people with visual impairment or blindness due to external work environment concerns. The tool is relevant to a wide range of circumstances, including economic downturns. Practical considerations are discussed.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pandemics
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Work
Journal subject:
Occupational Medicine
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
WOR-211151
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