Workplace accommodation readiness between college graduates and high school graduates

Workplace accommodation requests and pertinent psychological and social factors were compared among a national sample of 528 participants recruited from multiple organizations serving people with disabilities. For the purpose of statistical analyses, the sample was grouped into three education levels (i.e., graduate degree or higher, associate or bachelor's degree, and high school degree or less). Participants with a high school degree or less were less likely to request accommodations compared to the other two groups. Participants with a highschool degree or less were less likely to request assistive technology, telework, physical alteration of office and/or work environment, and assistance by others. Participants with a master's degree or higher reported significantly higher levels of willingness to request accommodations than other participants. Participants with a master's degree or higher reported a significantly higher level of self- efficacy in requesting accommodations than the other two groups. Statistically significant differences were found among the three groups on self-efficacy in goal setting, knowledge of ADA, and knowledge of accommodations. Implications for rehabilitation counselors and transition professionals are discussed.