Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Unemployment rates for persons with disabilities in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs) are high. This is despite the call to action by the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Sustainable Development Goals aimed at
improving the economic well-being of the marginalised. To improve the employment
outcomes of persons with disabilities in these countries, factors that facilitate and hinder
employment should be explored.
OBJECTIVES : This study explored barriers to and facilitators of employment for persons with
disabilities in LMICs through a scoping review.
METHODS : A search strategy included a systematic search of nine databases using specific
keywords. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
framework was used as a conceptual framework and barriers and facilitators were reported
according to the domains of the ICF. Articles published between 2008 and 2020 were reviewed
using a predefined criteria.
RESULTS : Thirty-two studies were identified in the review. Factors were identified in all
domains of the ICF: (1) body function and body structure (12; 39%); (2) activities and
participation (13; 42%); (3) personal factors (23; 74%); (4) environmental factors (27; 84%).
CONCLUSION : Factors that hinder and facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities in
LMICs were mainly found in the environment, with personal factors also influencing
participation. The presence of negative attitudes and lack of services mainly in health and
transport were major factors within the environment whilst personals factors included the
lack of educational qualifications and skills. These results indicate the importance of
consideration of contextual factors when developing intervention strategies aimed at facilitating the employment of persons with disabilities in LMICs.
