Barriers to and facilitators of employment : perspectives of persons with severe communication disabilities and specialised recruitment agents

Abstract

Globally, persons with disabilities are facing exclusion from participation in the labour market. In South Africa, the employment rate of persons with severe communication disabilities remains low despite the implementation of legislation and policy initiatives to promote their economic participation. This study aimed first to determine barriers to and facilitators of employment of persons with severe communication disabilities, as perceived from the perspective of persons with severe communication disabilities themselves and specialised recruitment agents. Secondly, the study explored SRAs as facilitators to the employment of persons with severe communication disabilities. The study adopted a qualitative case study design with participants purposefully selected in order to provide an in-depth understanding of the issue under investigation. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used as a conceptual framework and therefore guided the study. Participants comprised 24 persons with severe communication disabilities (13 unemployed and 11 employed) and 25 specialised recruitment agents (SRAs). Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and conversational qualitative content analysis used in data analysis. Factors that hindered and facilitated the employment of persons with severe communication disabilities were linked to the ICF codes. Barriers most often reported by both groups of participants were related to the type of disability, lack of access to education and employment opportunities, and the presence of negative attitudes. On the other hand, facilitating factors most reported were related to employment and rehabilitative services, policy and legislation, and positive personal traits. Four roles SRAs assume that facilitate a successful placement of persons with severe communication disabilities were identified. These included a consultation, placement, support, and training role. The study concludes by proposing a guiding placement checklist based on the ICF. This guiding placement checklist proposes strategies for successfully placing and retaining persons with severe communication disabilities in employment.