Chapter 7: The Nexus Framework: Addressing Racial Bias and Equity in Disability Employment

The purpose of the Nexus Project was to explore racial bias and equity in disability employment with the goal of establishing a foundation for future research, policy, and the development of evidence-based best practices in this area going forward. In this vein, a conceptual framework was constructed that operationally defines disability economic justice. Through the two-step process of critical reflection, foundational approaches were identified along with their disability critiques. The approaches were first independently analyzed by two members of the research team, which were then compared and contextualized by the rest of the research team. Here, analysis involved analyzing points of similarity and discrepancy and drawing upon this new level of critical awareness to develop a new framework. Analysis resulted in five core concepts and their associated principles: (1) Transforming Structural Inclusion, (2) Holistic Actualization, (3) Parity of Present, (4) Parity of Futures, and (5) Activism Through Awareness. The Nexus Framework aims to propose direction for future research to address the racial bias in disability employment. The framework can also be utilized as a decision-making tool for policymakers, helping to ensure principles of economic justice are embedded in disability employment programs and policy priorities.