Employment Opportunities of and Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities: The Case of the Blind and the Physically Impaired
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Date
2006-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Persons with disabilities do not equally and fully participate in the life of their society.
They are denied of equal opportunities in the areas of education and employment. Thus,
this research is aimed at studying the employment opportunity and work conditions of
persons with disabilities. This research used both secondary and primary methods of
gathering information. Various literature and research studies have been reviewed so as
to use them as secondary sources of information. Focus group discussion and in-depth
interviews were employed in this research. Ten visually impaired and five physically
disabled employees in different agencies were interviewed. It has been found through this
research that the blind and physically impaired studied had been discriminated during
application and competition for jobs. Some had been discriminated on training and
promotion. Special tools and needs were not fulfilled and addressed in their workplaces.
The cause for the discrimination is mainly lack of awareness and attitudinal problems on
the part of employers. This results in adverse psychological, social and economic effects
in the lives of the disabled. Therefore, awareness-raising programs, policy and legislative
measures, advocacy and other initiatives by associations of persons with disabilities are
needed to curb this problem
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Social Work