Vocational Rehabilitation and Its Practices for Persons with Disabilities: The Case of Two Centers in Addis Ababa
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Date
2007-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study presents the practices of vocational rehabilitation and its
challenges in an attempt to supply feasible feedback to improve placement
and economic independence of PWDs upon completion of trainings. Both
quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry were employed to gather data
for this study. Fifty three male and female trainees with different forms of
disability (visual, motor, hearing) have responded to the questionnaire.
Seven officials were purposely selected for interview,' out of which four
interviewees -two representing each center- were administrators and
training coordinators of the two centers which this study spotlights. The
rest three were officials; each representing the Addis Ababa civil
Association Federation, Ethiopian Federation of PWDs, and Ethiopian
National Association for the BlindEleven individuals with motor disorder
from both centers were also included in the focus group discussion
Ethiopia has ratified the ILO convention number 159 that recognizes the
right of PWDs to the provision of vocational rehabilitation in its entirety.
However, the finding of this study suggests that the role the Ethiopian
government assumes at the provision of VR to PWDs appears to have
generally been very limited Likewise, the existing VR practices are
traditional and no to the level of its requirement. Multiple impediments such
as lack of human and material resources, unawareness of the community to
VR and special needs of PWDs, centers' inauspicious setting, and
transportation problems were reported to have hampered the general
practice of VR programs. The meager participation of the government and
the community in general has also adversely affected the practices of VR of
the centers.
This study also reviews the attitude of beneficiaries towards the trainings
they were undertaking and the services being provided by the centers all
together. Finally, this study will attempt to drag the attention of the
government, community members, employers, and other stakeholders
towards the significance of sustaining VR programs to achieve the economic
independence of PWDs.
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Keywords
Its Practices for Persons with Disabilities