To Tell or Not to Tell: Disability Disclosure and Job Application Outcomes

Hong Kong-based researchers recently completed a study of area employer attitudes about hiring people with disabilities. Over a three-month period, the research team responded to all of the 409 job advertisements for clerical positions appearing in the two major Hong Kong newspapers. Each advertisement received four application letters that were identical in every respect except one: disclosure of a disability. In one letter, disability was not mentioned. In each of the remaining three letters, a specific disability was disclosed: a hearing impairment, walking with crutches, and depression. In all, a total of 1,636 letters of application were sent, and 331 positive responses defined as an offer of a job interview--were received.

Data analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the non-disability group when compared with each of the disability groups. Comparisons of the disability groups with each other did not achieve levels of statistical significance. There was, however, a clear ranking of preference: people without a disability, followed by those with a hearing impairment, those using crutches to walk and finally, those who had had a depression.

The research team represented three area institutions, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The citation for an article they wrote about the study is Pearson, V., Yip, N., Ip, F., Lo, E. M. K., Ho, K.K., Hui, H. (2003). To Tell or Not to Tell. The Journal of Rehabilitation. 69:4, 35-38.

Veronica Pearson
Frances Ip
Heidi Hui
The University of Hong Kong
Nelson Yip
K.K. Ho
Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power
Eva Lo

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

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