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Neurodiversity in the Anglophone Caribbean

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Disability in the Workplace

Part of the book series: Palgrave Explorations in Workplace Stigma ((PAEWS))

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Abstract

The term neurodiversity is not one which is used in popular discourse in the Caribbean, though the conditions which are classified as such are widely recognised. Persons who are neurodivergent face challenges with social acceptance and equal access to employment, education and access to necessary goods and services (Graby, 2015; Jaarsma & Welin, 2012). Prejudicial attitudes associated with persons with atypical cognitive processes could result in the perception that the employment and retention of neurodivergent individuals will not add value to the workplace, and as such, the benefits associated with any accommodations which they may require, may not be regarded as justified by their costs (Krzeminska et al., 2019). Notwithstanding this, there are several modifications to human resource practices, (which are not cost prohibitive), which workplaces may adopt, with a view of ameliorating the deleterious effect of the typical workplace, on neurodivergent employees and organisational stakeholders. There is a paucity of literature on neurodiversity in the Caribbean and consequently, this chapter critically analyses whether and the extent to which neurodiversity is understood and accommodated by contemporary Caribbean workplaces, with a view of facilitating the optimal contribution of this marginalised group.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Underemployment refers to incidents where individuals are employed but they are underutilised, underpaid, overeducated, over skilled and overqualified for the posts they occupy (Mc-Kee-Ryan & Harvey, 2011).

  2. 2.

    Caribbean islands which are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and Trinidad and Tobago.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

    Jacqueline H. Stephenson

  2. University of Trinidad and Tobago, Point Lisas, Trinidad and Tobago

    Natalie Persadie

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  1. Jacqueline H. Stephenson
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  2. Natalie Persadie
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Correspondence to Jacqueline H. Stephenson .

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Stephenson, J.H., Persadie, N. (2023). Neurodiversity in the Anglophone Caribbean. In: Disability in the Workplace. Palgrave Explorations in Workplace Stigma. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-19340-8_6

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