Employer experience with disabilities in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Chicago

Employer attitudes about individuals with disabilities vary with the amount of familiarity and type of disability. This study examined three experience factors of intimacy: experience, culture of employer, and type of disability. One hundred employers (Beijing = 30, Chicago = 40, Hong Kong = 30) were recruited to participate in qualitative interviews about their experiences with disabilities. Researchers coded responses according to employer report of disability experience with a family member, with an acquaintance, or not having experience. Results demonstrated that experiences varied by city. Chicago employers were more likely to report experience with family members than did those from Beijing or Hong Kong. Beijing employers reported more experience with acquaintances than did those from Chicago or Hong Kong. Hong Kong employers were more likely to report no experience with people with disabilities. This paper discusses the results in the context of cultural differences among the three cities.