Abstract
This study examined perceptions towards hiring disabled veterans as they enter the civilian workforce, with use of a quantitative research survey design. A sample of 121 veteran and non-veteran college students, of 18 years of age and older were selected from California State University, Sacramento. Disability status and type were compared with qualifications. Veteran Job Candidate Vignettes were used to measure scenarios of physically disabled/qualified, mentally disabled/qualified, and non-disabled/unqualified. A Job Attainment Questionnaire after each vignette measured perceptions of job attainment via ratings of likelihood in selection for employability, being qualified, and abled. Disability was found to influence perceptions of attainment, showing a significant difference for the physically disabled/qualified candidate as most favorable compared to the mentally disabled candidate and non-disabled/unqualified candidate for all three variables of perception. Undergraduates were found more favorable of disability, while males less likely to select positive responses.