Perceptions of Employers and Rehabilitation Counselors Toward Hiring Individuals who Stutter

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of employers and rehabilitation counselors toward hiring people who stutter. Ninety-two employers and rehabilitation counselors completed the Employer and Rehabilitation Counselor Perceptions of Individuals who Stutter Questionnaire. Overall, participants perceived software developer-applications as the most appropriate occupation for a person who stutters. Participants conversely perceived biological science teacher-postsecondary as the least appropriate occupation for a person who stutters. Participants were most likely to agree with the statement that people who stutter can benefit from speech therapy and were least likely to agree with the statement that stuttering and intelligence are related. The results showed that employers and rehabilitation counselors did not view hiring individuals who stutter differently nor did they view stuttering differently. In addition, the findings of the study revealed that there is no one or precise definition of stuttering.