What was found to correlate with employers' failure to recruit and hire people with disabilities?

The correlation between employers' failure to recruit and hire people with disabilities and stigmatizing attitudes is significant. Stigmatizing attitudes encompass negative perceptions and stereotypes about individuals with disabilities, which can lead to biases in the hiring process. When employers hold these attitudes, they may unconsciously decide against hiring qualified candidates simply because they have a disability, regardless of the candidate’s abilities or qualifications.

Research has shown that perceptions of disability can lead to unfounded fears about workplace productivity or safety, which can further reinforce these stigmatizing attitudes. As a result, even in the absence of explicit discriminatory policies, these attitudes can create an environment where people with disabilities face significant barriers to employment. Changing these attitudes through education and awareness is essential to increasing the hiring of individuals with disabilities and fostering a more inclusive workplace.