Workers with disabilities are known to note more minor injuries that occur (more safety-conscious). The frequency of reports could have contributed to such concerns that they are accident-prone. If workers are more disposed to work injury, it is more probable that workers with disabilities are put at risk due to unsafe workplace environments than their own behavior. That being said, workers with disabilities may have to step away from work for longer after an injury due to longer recovery. Accommodations can aid in lowering workers compensations costs if needed.

University of Notre Dame

Managers and employers have concerns that workers with disabilities increase the risk of accidents to the work place. Empirical evidence has dispelled these misconceptions, with workers with disabilities experiencing roughly the same if not better safety awareness and even a lower chance of serious injury.

Performance Concern #2

Bonaccio, S., Connelly, C. E., Gellatly, I. R., Jetha, A., &amp; Martin Ginis, K. A. (2019). The participation of people with disabilities in the workplace across the employment cycle: Employer concerns and research evidence. Journal of Business and Psychology, 35(2), 135–158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-018-9602-5 

The Participation of People with Disabilities in the Workplace Across the Employment Cycle: Employer Concerns and Research Evidence

The Relationship Between Workers With Disabilities and Injuries.

Workers with disabilities are shown to be more safety-conscious than assumed, even more safe than their non-disabled counterparts. One area of safety considerations that should be made is emergency preparedness, including individualized emergency response plan for each worker with disabilities. Such plans can rely on the assistance of coworkers and should be updated with changes in work environment. 

Implications of Performance Concern #2

Research is needed to determine why workers with disabilities are more assiduous.

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