'Staff would be whispering': Exploring employment related stigma experienced by women with intellectual disabilities in Ireland

Background: Individuals with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable to stigma and continue to face inequality as a result of the attitudes and beliefs of others. This puts them at risk of social exclusion and can affect their employment opportunities resulting in varying degrees of stigma around the concept of work. Objectives: This research is in the context of a larger qualitative study. It aims to explore employment related stigma experienced by women with intellectual disabilities in Ireland and identify the main barriers to employment. Methods: A qualitative research method was chosen for this study and a critical disability theory was used to guide it. Semi-structured interviews had already been carried out and transcribed by previous research students. The experiences of twelve female participants with intellectual disabilities aged 30 -65 were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti software. Results: Three key concepts emerged from the data. “Employment participation” explored participants work in the context of day centres and sheltered workshops. “Range of opportunity” revealed the scale of employment opportunities available to participants and “Experience of discrimination” exposed participants employment related stigma experiences. Conclusions: Women with intellectual disabilities are at risk of employment related stigma when exposed to a range of employment opportunities. Occupational therapy has the potential to play an important role in bridging the gap between sheltered workshops and the employment market by providing support and educating employers and co-workers to minimise stigma experiences in Ireland.