Download Fact Sheet: Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities in the Age of Algorithmic and AI Technologies (PDF)
Lead: Dr. Fitore Hyseni, Syracuse University
Research Strand: Enhancing Employment
What are we Studying?
This study examines how AI-based automated employment decision tools (AEDT) used in recruitment and hiring affect employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Why are we Studying this Issue?
AI technologies are increasingly used to screen resumes, analyze video interviews, and make hiring decisions. While AI has potential to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities, there are concerns it may inadvertently disadvantage them if trained on biased data or using inaccessible formats. Limited research exists on how these tools specifically impact people with disabilities in real-world hiring settings, leaving policymakers without clear evidence as states begin regulating AI use in employment.
How will we Study this Issue?
This study includes three interconnected projects: (1) A randomized resume audit study sending 3,660 fictitious applications to companies using AI hiring tools to test whether callback rates differ when applicants disclose disabilities; (2) A policy evaluation comparing employment outcomes in Colorado after its 2026 AI hiring regulation takes effect versus neighboring states without such laws; and (3) Semi-structured interviews with up to 30 employers to understand how they use AI tools in hiring and their efforts to promote employment for people with disabilities.
How will this Study Impact Disability Employment Policy?
This project will provide the first comprehensive real-world evidence on how AI hiring tools affect employment outcomes for people with disabilities, helping policymakers design effective regulations and practices that promote fair, accessible hiring.