Donna Marie Lewis ∙ School of Business and Management ∙Master of Public Administration ∙ Spring 2016

Exploring the Challenges of Implementing the American Disabilities Act Regarding Employees with Invisible

Disabilities: ADHD

MY STORY…

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

"If you've ever had that feeling of loneliness, of being an outsider, it never quite leaves you. You can be

happy or successful or whatever, but that thing still stays within you." 

~ Tim Burton

Symptoms of ADHD Difficulty focusing on everyday

requests. Routines are challenging.

Have trouble getting organized, making realistic plans and thinking before acting.

They may be fidgety, noisy and unable to adapt to changing situations.

Source: http://www.apa.org/topics/adhd/

Mcmahon, B. T., Rumrill, P. D., Roessler, R., Hurley, J. E., West, S. L., Chan, F., & Carlson, L. (2008). Hiring discrimination against people with disabilities under the ADA: Characteristics of employers.  Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, p.114 & 117.

Failure to Provide Reasonable Accommodations

Mcmahon, B. T., Rumrill, P. D., Roessler, R., Hurley, J. E., West, S. L., Chan, F., & Carlson, L. (2008). Hiring discrimination against people with disabilities under the ADA: Characteristics of

employers. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, p.114 & 117.

Public Administration Industry is #3

Research Questions…

1) Do managers in the nonprofit industry have knowledge regarding the ADA that is not given to those in the healthcare and education industries?

2) Will knowledge about invisible disabilities and employee legal rights change managers and employees misconceptions?

Research Results

“It’s like having 59 televisions blaring in my head all at once.  Medications turn off 58 of them.”

~ Melissa Orlov, Psychology Today

NON-PROFIT

EDUCATION

HEALTHCARE

33%

61%

63%

53%

52%

55%

50%

54%

57%

Knowledge of the American Disabilities Act by In-dustry

All Respondents Employees Managers

9a - 9e ORGANIZATION VALUES DI-VERSITY/DISABLED INDIVIDUALS

9f & 9g VALUED AS AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE

75%

36%

Respondent Answers to Question 9 (a - g)Strongly Agreed/Agreed

Recommendations

“It’s like trying to have a conversation with a friend across a large room filled with people yelling at

each other.” ~ Unknown

Managers and Employees Education and Training

EEOC, ADA Guidelines

Different Disabilities

Diversity

SUMMARY

“One person’s madness, is another person’s reality” – Tim Burton