Exploring Contributions of Partnerships Between Employers and Disability Organizations on Recruitment, Hiring, Training, Retention, and Accommodation of Individuals with Disabilities in Mississippi

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provides equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities (IWDs) by prohibiting discrimination in employment. However, one out of four IWDs face discrimination in employment in the United States (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Additionally, despite establishing the Office of Disability Employment Policy and enacting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help integrate IWDs into the workforce, IWDs face barriers to equal and equitable employment (NASEM, 2017). Previous studies recommend partnerships between employers and disability organizations (DOs) to provide employment opportunities and benefits for IWDs through recruitment, hiring, training, retention, and accommodation (Berre, 2023; Mahasneh et al., 2023). Partnerships between employers and DOs assist employers in utilizing the professionalism of DOs and help them combine resources to address the discrimination and other challenges IWDs face in employment (Evans & Davis, 2018). Nevertheless, limited data exists to explore the contributions of these partnerships to the recruitment, hiring, training, retention, and accommodation of IWDs, particularly in states with low labor participation rates, such as Mississippi (McCarron et al., 2022; Miller, 2023). With Mississippi ranked 49th in labor participation rates in the U.S., researchers recommend unlocking the potential of IWDs and utilizing them to increase labor participation in the state (Miller, 2023). The study utilized basic qualitative research design, purposive, and snowball sampling techniques to explore the contributions of the partnerships in Mississippi. Data was collected from employees in managerial positions in employers and DOs in Mississippi through semi-structured, one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). The interviews consisted of 12 participants, while the FGDs comprised four participants. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The analysis yielded eight emergent themes. The study revealed that partnerships between employers and DOs contributed to the recruitment, hiring, training, retention, and accommodation of IWDs in Mississippi. The finding corroborated the existing literature that views the partnerships as contributing to the recruitment, hiring, training, retention, and accommodation of IWDs. There is a need to promote partnerships between employers and DOs to contribute to the recruitment, hiring, training, retention, and accommodation of IWDs in Mississippi.