PERCEPTIONS OF A JOB INTERVIEWEE WITH A DISABILITY

The unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is substantial ly higher than the rate for individuals who are nondisabled. Negative attitudes or stereotypes held toward individuals with disabilities may affect whether they are hired as well as their subsequent integration into the workforce. This study examined whether attitudes toward indi viduals who are disabled and an individual's disability affect employm ent interviewers' perceptions of job competence. Subjects with positiv e and negative attitudes toward individuals who are disabled viewed on e of two videotaped interviews (either an applicant who was physically disabled or nondisabled) and then rated the applicant on a competency questionnaire. A 2 X 2 ANOVA compared subjects' competency rating sco res for the applicant who appeared either disabled or nondisabled. No significant differences were found between individuals with positive o r negative attitudes in their ratings of competence or number of offer s of employment extended toward the same interviewee with or without a disability.