Start: April 9, 2024 12 p.m.
End: April 9, 2024 1 p.m.
Location: HB 205
Join the College of Health for this faculty research presentation.
Aesthetic Bias and Disability in the Workplace
According to the National Disability Institute, a smaller proportion of people with disability were employed in 2020 (17.9%) compared to those without a disability (61.8%). Research shows that employers are significantly biased toward people based on appearance. Even though candidates could meet job expectations, employers have consciously or subconsciously exhibited bias by not hiring individuals with disabilities based on their appearance. Despite no direct correlation between appearance and competence, some individuals with disabilities still struggle to find adequate employment for this reason. Since the integration of inclusive policies, to the best of the investigators’ knowledge, there has been very limited recent research on the perceptions and aesthetic biases experienced by individuals with disabilities during the hiring process. Therefore, this study aimed to interview individuals with physical (i.e., mobility/orthopedic and visual) disabilities about their experiences with “aesthetic bias.”
About the Presenters:
Over the years, Drs. Saiki and Kandiah have actively engaged in national and international collaborative research on behavioral health, dietary practices, and dressing. These have resulted in the acquisition of external grants, refereed publications, presentations, and numerous awards.
Dr. Diana Saiki is a Full Professor of Fashion Industry Studies in the Department of Applied Business Studies at the Miller College of Business. Her overall research focuses on social and historical aspects of dress and the fashion industry.
Dr. Jay Kandiah is a Full Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Health Science. She is also a registered and licensed dietitian nutritionist. Her research interests include clinical, complementary, and alternative medicine, as well as community and behavioral health.