DeHart, Mary Ellen2014-03-142014-03-141985-07-15etd-06102012-040152http://hdl.handle.net/10919/43038The horticulture industry offers numerous unskilled and semi-Skilled job opportunities for qualified handicapped individuals. A mail survey of 557 private Virginia ornamental horticultural businesses was conducted to document the employment of handicapped persons and to investigate employers' perceptions of mentally handicapped workers. A response rate of 60% was obtained. Forty-two percent of the respondents reported employing mentally, physically or emotionally handicapped persons. Primary businesses which have employed mentally handicapped workers were associated with grounds maintenance, nursery/garden centers, and golf courses. Overall the employers' perceptions were favorable of the general work habits and entry-level horticultural skill competencies of mentally handicapped persons. This indicated a potential for employmentvii, 106 leavesBTDapplication/pdfIn CopyrightLD5655.V855 1985.D442Industrial relationsPeople with mental disabilities -- Employment -- Public opinionThesishttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06102012-040152/