Hidden Talent: How Leading Companies Hire, Retain, and Benefit from People With Disabilities

Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, many forms of discrimination against people with disabilities are still practiced, denying opportunity for employees, as well as the employers who might hire and support them. Based on a multi-year research project by a team of experts in human resource management, economics, and communications, Hidden Talent showcases the innovative practices of organizations that are actively hiring, training, and retaining people with disabilities--and thriving as a result. The authors reveal the roots of disability discrimination and demonstrate the benefits, to employers and employees alike, of investing in disabled workers, featuring in-depth case examples. Additional resources, including an overview of the ADA, information on tax and legal incentives, and listing of related publications, organizations, and websites, will make this book essential for anyone researching, managing, or experiencing the dynamics of disability in the workplace.

Mark L. Lengnick-Hall is Professor of Management in the College of Business at the University of Texas, San Antonio. His research and teaching interests include the employment of people with disabilities, human resource management in the knowledge economy, and implementing information technology in organizations. He is coauthor ofHuman Resource Management in the Knowledge Economy, Compensation Decision Making, andInteractive Human Resource Management and Strategic Planning (Quorum, 1990), and his articles have been published in a wide array of journals, includingAcademy of Management Review, Personnel Psychology, HR Magazine,Journal of Organizational Behavior, and the Wall Street Journal.