Count them in! Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in a Diversified Workforce: A Transformative Mixed-Method Study

Abstract

Employment is considered a critical element of independent living, most notably for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). In the context of work, it is a gateway to further showcase their talents, skills and other capabilities as part of the nation building and catalyst of significant change. This study aims to gather significant inputs from organizations in the context of hiring, retention, practical and policy strategies towards the formulation of hiring and retaining action plans for PWDs. The research design is sequential-transformative-mixed methods. Data were gathered through surveys, interviews, and focused group discussions by using a validated tool and a questionnaire. Purposive sampling method was utilized. Participants are in the 26 Published by IIAE. 2020 27 Philippines in Central Luzon, Region III, Philippines who have first-hand engagement in the employment of PWDs. Researchers consulted 98 organizations with 161 employed PWDs. Descriptive and correlational statistics were processed. Qualitative data underwent data analysis. Results are presented in terms of their willingness to express agreement in the hiring and retaining of PWDs, and the willingness to rate the practical strategies and policies regarding the hiring and retaining of PWDs. The findings of this study show a significant relationship among the type of disabilities (visual, auditory, orthopedic and psychosocial disabilities) of working PWDs, the number of organizations with PWDs per province, the nature of the working environment and their job titles. However, there is very limited relationship between their type of disabilities and the categories of white collar, blue collar and pink collar. The barriers to this include the lack of awareness of the managers, the inclusivity policy of the institutions, the incompetency amongst PWDs, the relatively high employment cost, and the loss of productivity. Potential solutions are financial support and subsidies, capability building, enhancement of the partnership between the industry and government sectors, and improvement of the existing non-discrimination laws.