It is well known that many people with disabilities have trouble finding work. However, do job opportunities look different depending on sector?

In a recent study, I (along with my colleagues) set out to explore the hiring behaviors of employers from the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Using focus groups, we learned that "mission" mattered. In other words, nonprofits have a mission to serve the community and want their workforces to look like the communities they serve. They also expressed a strong commitment to hiring people with disabilities at all levels within their organizations.

On the other hand, for-profits have a mission to sell a product or service and tend to hire people for entry level and seasonal positions. The one thing that both sectors agreed upon was that they were very pleased with the performance of their workers with disabilities. Another thing they agreed upon was that the current economy has created fewer opportunities for those with and without disabilities.

When I look back on the findings, I am struck by how receptive the nonprofits were to hiring those with disabilities. It seemed to me that they probably have much to teach to the for-profit world.

What do you think? Does sector make a difference?