Early experiences of young women with visual impairments transitioning into the workplace

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and understand the early lived experiences of young women with visual impairments (YWWVI) as they transitioned into the workplace. These included exploring the progress and difficulties YWWVI faced in the process of transitioning into the workplace and adjusting to the work environment. This information would assist employers, educational institutions, and the government in understanding and accommodating the needs of young women living with visual impairments entering the work environment. The person-environment correspondence theory (PEC) was used as a theoretical framework for this study. An interpretivist approach was used to gain in-depth understanding of participants ‘experiences through case study design by purposefully sampling five participants from the South African National Council for the Blind [SANCB]. Data was generated using semi-structured interviews and documented using field notes and an audio recorder, and then analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that negotiating entry into the workplace is a challenging process for YWWVI. Factors such as a lack of education and work experience, attitudes of employers and employees, lack of reasonable accommodation, and the workplace environment not being fit contribute to their challenges in the workplace. It is recommended that the policy on the recruitment and accommodation of YWWVI be revised to address the concerns identified in the study. In addition, further research with a larger sample of participants, including males, is required to understand if there are gender related differences in the findings.