Facilitating sustainable employment of people with intellectual disabilities in Hospitality SMEs

A multi-stakeholder perspective

This project aims to stimulate demand for the employment of people with intellectual disabilities in the Hospitality small and medium size enterprise (SME) sector, while also providing the resources and opportunity to foster partnerships that will promote future employment outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities. Using a combination of interventions is more likely to be effective, as there is the potential to build demand, capability, and connection across the entire system.

This aim will be achieved through a mixed-method exploratory study: stakeholder interviews followed by a national survey.

A two-part intervention will follow this focused on increasing sustainable open employment of people with intellectual disabilities in the Hospitality SME sector. Part 1 involves an SME sector Roundtable event involving the dissemination and review of the research study and co-designing of the toolkit resource. This event will also allow sharing of the best available evidence and practice.

Part two is a Stakeholder Networking Event to facilitate linkages and relationship building between DES Providers and Hospitality SMEs.

The project was funded by the Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund, Endeavour Foundation.

Project Team

Project Chief Investigator: Dr Ashokkumar (Ashok) Manoharan

Dr Ashokkumar (Ashok) Manoharan is a Senior Lecturer – Strategic Management at the College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University & Research Affiliate of the Centre for Social Impact, and the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute, Flinders University.

Dr. Manoharan’s research focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the hospitality context, with a specific focus on people with intellectual disabilities and migrant workers. Dr Manoharan has an impressive record of gaining internal funds and having served as a Chief/Co-Investigator on external competitive funding from Information, Linkages, and Capacity Building Economic and Community Participation Program - Building Employer Confidence and Inclusion in Disability, Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. His project includes open employment of people with disabilities, and two projects focused on addressing employers’ attitudes to employing people with disabilities in the hospitality and fashion sector. His research has been published in the leading hospitality and management journals and presented at international conferences. Dr. Manoharan's ground-breaking future research endeavours to cultivate an all-encompassing ecosystem, empowering individuals with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, and fostering their genuine social inclusion.

Co-CI: Dr Claire Hutchinson

Dr Claire Hutchinson BA(Hons) GDip MSc PhD, Senior Research Fellow, Health and Social Care Economics, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University & Associate Member of the Centre for Social Impact, Flinders University

Dr Hutchinson is a mixed methods social scientist with research interests in the employment pathways of people with disabilities, social return on investment analysis of health and social care interventions, and the lived experiences and quality of life of social care recipients. Prior to returning to academia in 2010, Claire worked as an organisational psychologist, project manager and vocational rehabilitation specialist.

Dr Hutchinson has been a named Chief Investigator on over $3.3 million of competitive grant funding and has a strong track record of managing and delivering collaborative end-user focused research. Her work in disability employment has been across all employment pathways (ADEs, open employment, microenterprise). Dr Hutchinson's current projects include an evaluation of a transition program to improve open employment outcomes for youth with disabilities, the development of a social impact framework for a social enterprise supporting the open employment of people with disabilities, and two projects focused on addressing employers’ attitudes to employing people with disabilities across several sectors.

Co-CI: Dr Janice (Jane) Jones

Dr Janice (Jane) Jones BCom, MCom, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Human Resource Management, College of Business, Government & Law, Flinders University, & Associate Member of the Centre for Social Impact, and Australian Industrial Transformation Institute, Flinders University

Dr Jones’ research focuses on careers, and in particular careers of persons with an intellectual disability, Indigenous arts workers, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) /migrant workers and returnees. Dr Jones has been a named Chief Investigator on over $1 million of competitive grant funding. Her current grants relate to the employment and career opportunities and outcomes for persons with an intellectual disability in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Dr Jones’ research has been published widely in major peer-reviewed journals including International Journal of Hospitality Management, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, International Journal of Human Resource Management, International Journal of Manpower, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Management Decision, Employee Relations and Australian Journal of Public Administration. Her research has also appeared in government inquiries and has been featured in the media including The Conversation and The Australian.

Research Findings

Interviews

The first stage of the study consisted of face-to-face interviews of owners and senior staff in the hospitality sector (hotels, clubs, and restaurants) in SA to discover their attitudes towards and/or lived experiences of employing people with intellectual disabilities. The owner/managers who employed people with intellectual disabilities identified positive outcomes from employing people with intellectual disabilities, such as loyalty, strong work ethic, and a commitment to the job. Some owners/managers identified challenges to employing people with intellectual disabilities, such as fears surrounding dangerous kitchen environments, challenges with the ability of people with intellectual disabilities to think quickly, and concerns around confidence building. Some stated that fellow workers were not interested or available to help, and there could be a negative public attitude toward people with intellectual disabilities in the workplace. However, many owners/managers found working through challenges ultimately rewarding.

If you wrap your arms around them, they will be very, very loyal to you, and that goes a long way.

- Owner/Manager, Hotel

They haven't had a lot of wins, I would say, in life. Once they can do something and realise they can do it quite well and are in a supportive environment, I think they get a lot of rewards from doing that.

- Owner/Manager, Café/Bakery

Our business is about integrity and trust. We show we care for our staff, patrons, and our community. Taking on a person with an intellectual disability aligns with our values and shows we go the extra mile.

- Owner/Manager, Hotel

People with intellectual disabilities may need additional support, but so do new workers.

- Hotel Assistant Manager

Owners and managers who had never employed PWID also raised similar concerns. Nevertheless, most indicated that they were prepared to consider the employment of people with intellectual disabilities in the future.

Survey