| dc.description.abstract | This study was carried out in organizations employing persons with disabilities in Kampala district to investigate equalization of employment opportunities and employment of PWDs. The study was guided by four objectives: To establish perceptions of participants on the benefits accruing from equalizing employment opportunities for PWDs, To identify challenges faced in equalizing employment opportunities for PWDs, To explore ways of tackling challenges experienced in equalizing employment opportunities for PWDs in employment places and to establish measures aimed at equalizing employment opportunities for PWDs. The study was intended to create more information and awareness that, if given necessary support, PWDs are capable of performing and creating change in organizations. A cross-sectional study design was used taking a descriptive approach and non-statistical methods to present and analyze data. Data was collected using observation, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with employees with disabilities, administrative officials in organizations employing PWDs, officials from the line ministry and umbrella organizations for PWDs. These were selected using purposive sampling techniques. Findings from the study revealed that few employees with disabilities accessed employment through non-formal procedures and that most of them didn't have access to support services or systems that would help them to do their work independently, effectively and efficiently. Other major challenges experienced by employees with disabilities were, information and communication barriers, structural barriers, physical barriers attitudinal barriers.
The study also revealed good working relationships between PWDs and ordinary employees but many PWDs abandoned work at a high rate than ordinary employees. Most employers were knowledgeable about the employment legal provisions for PWDs but were unable to provide support systems and services for PWDs. Most organization employing PWDs were not benefiting from the 2% tax reduction simply because none of them had employed the number qualifying them for the reduction. The study concluded that although there are PWDs who had accessed employment, a good number of them left employment due to lack of support that would help them work independently. Various actions need to be taken at both organizational and national level to ensure conducive working environment for employees with disabilities. The study, therefore, recommends that affirmative action be effected and awareness campaigns to all stakeholders to improve on the employment systems and procedures of PWDs. It is recommended that the central government, through its line ministry supervises organizations to establish challenges faced and find workable solutions. They should also monitor and evaluate the existing laws for modification and benchmark with other countries to compare and borrow what is applicable in Uganda. Further research can also be carried out to establish how best employment of PWDs in both private and public sectors can be mainstreamed and improved upon. | en_US |
