Exploring people with disabilities’ perspectives on the availability of appropriate work that fits their capabilities in Jordan

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jebril, Mohammad Y.

Affiliations: Physical and Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan Tel.: +962 5 3903333 /Ext. 5413; Fax: +962 5 3903368; E-mails: [email protected] / [email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND:There is a lack of information regarding the availability of work and the appropriateness of work to people with disabilities (PWD) in Jordan. Therefore, this research was initiated and it was hypothesized that work is available and it is appropriate to PWD abilities. OBJECTIVES:To explore the availability of work and the appropriateness of working conditions to PWD abilities. METHOD:Thirty-five individuals completed the “People with Disabilities Working Condition Scale” (PWDWCS). Descriptive and nonparametric statistical analyses including Chi square, Pearson correlation, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used, and content analysis was used for the open-ended questions section to identify the availability of work in terms of opportunities and competition as well as to identify the work fitness to PWDs’ abilities. RESULTS:Sixty percent of the participants had difficulties finding a job, with a high competition on the available ones. Several work conditions do not fit PWDs’ abilities including improper fitness of work assignment to their capabilities and relatively inappropriate wages. In addition, a higher percentage of the participants reported: A) availability of written job descriptions and procedure manuals B) lack of work-related training and continuing education (CE) programs C) PWD are not being promoted D) availability of relative social acceptance at work E) a relatively comfortable work environment F) finally, work areas which require several modifications to boost accessibility. CONCLUSION:Initial hypotheses could not be confirmed. Several challenges face PWD in Jordan pertaining to the availability and fitness to work. Rehabilitation for all sectors of work is necessary as well as for PWD to improve their employability and work appropriateness to PWD abilities.

Keywords: Working conditions, supported employment, accessibility, qualitative research, stigma, rehabilitation, reasonable accommodations

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213567

Journal: Work, vol. 70, no. 1, pp. 219-233, 2021