An Issue of Occupational (In)justice: A Case Study

Abstract

Work as in paid employment is a social expectation and brings the benefits of social inclusion, acceptance, and identity. For individuals with disabilities procuring and retaining paid employment is challenging despite progressive legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This case study describes the experiences of a person who acquired a disability and its impact on her sense of self, and her place in her social environment. Her experiences are framed using a bio-psychosocial paradigm, and analyzed using the conceptual lens of occupational justice. The centrality of work to one's identity is discussed in the light of challenges to the  implementation of the ADA and employers' attitudes to legislation and individuals with disabilities. A human rights approach to work is needed to identity individual, interpersonal, and organizational strategies to better integrate individuals with disabilities in workplaces.

Key Words: Occupational justice; identity; marginalization; attitudinal barriers