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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2003

Raymond Euppa Ochoggia

The paper defines the term disability and how it fits among persons with visual disabilities. Specific provisions in the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2002 that may affect…

1356

Abstract

The paper defines the term disability and how it fits among persons with visual disabilities. Specific provisions in the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2002 that may affect library and information services to visually handicapped students in learning institutions in Kenya are identified and listed. Establishment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities to oversee all matters affecting the disabled is highlighted. The National Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities to provide financial assistance is equally cited. The author provides a detailed interpretation of the Bill with a bias towards provision of library and information services for visually handicapped people. The paper concludes that the Bill is likely to open up educational opportunities for the visually handicapped students in Kenya by widening the range of information sources.

Details

New Library World, vol. 104 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1995

Deepa Hingorani and Brian H. Kleiner

Before turning our attention to the recent developments in employment of the disabled and becoming familiar with these developments, it is important to define what the words…

Abstract

Before turning our attention to the recent developments in employment of the disabled and becoming familiar with these developments, it is important to define what the words disability and handicap mean in general. The majority of us use these two words interchangeably. There is, however, a difference in the meanings that should be understood before any further examination into the topic is made. Disability is the functional limitation within the individual that is caused by physical, mental, or sensory impairments; handicap is the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in the normal life of the community on an equal level with others due to physical and social barriers [5]. Until the end of 1992, over 251,000,000 persons were classified as disabled in the United States. Males account for 49%, while females make up 51% of this population. There is also a strong relationship between age and the likelihood of a disability. Persons 65 years and over made up 12.2% of the total population, but they accounted for 33.8% of all persons with a disability. Persons with low incomes are more likely to have disabilities than persons with high incomes. As far as employment goes, the employment rate among both sexes for persons with no disability was 80.5%, but the rate was 24.1% for disabled persons [5]. People with disabilities have unfortunately not been part of the American mainstream and are still excluded from full participation in society. Millions are seeking employment so they too can earn a living and become socially and economically independent. Such employment statistics brought about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is the most significant federal civil rights legislation that has affected and will continue to affect private employers since the passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was signed by President Bush on July 26,1990. For employers with 25 or more employees, the ADA went into effect July 26, 1992; and for employers with 15–24 employees, it went into effect on July 26,1994. Companies with less than 15 employees are exempt from the job‐bias rules. Stated in the most simple terms, the ADA will prohibit discrimination in employment and in access to public services based upon disability. Employers must now provide reasonable accommodation to disabled employees and applicants as long as this does not inflict undue hardship on the business. Three major barriers currently exist for working‐aged disabled people: discrimination, lack of employment opportunities, and places with reasonable accommodations for the disabled.

Details

Equal Opportunities International, vol. 14 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0261-0159

Article
Publication date: 29 April 2021

Vasanthi Suresh and Lata Dyaram

Despite several concerted efforts and directives, Indian organizations have a long road to travel with respect to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce…

Abstract

Purpose

Despite several concerted efforts and directives, Indian organizations have a long road to travel with respect to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce. Disability taking different forms often impacts organizational decisions on employment and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Acknowledging the role of employers in improving their employment prospects, the purpose of this paper is to examine key factors that direct the decisions regarding targeted recruitment of persons with various types of disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The exploratory study is based on thematic analysis of senior executives' accounts to examine the factors that direct their decisions pertaining to employment of persons with varied types of disabilities.

Findings

Findings highlight organizational determinants that enable/disable employment of persons with varied types of disabilities. The organizational determinants reported are: knowledge about type of disability; work characteristics; accommodations based on type of disability; accessibility of physical infrastructure and external pressures; whereas, persons with orthopedic, vision, hearing and intellectual disabilities are represented in the employee base.

Research limitations/implications

The present study contributes to employer perspectives on workplace disability inclusion toward understanding the nuances of organizational dynamics and human perceptions. Future studies could explore perspectives of other key stakeholders and the conditions under which organizational determinants are perceived as enabling or disabling.

Originality/value

The present study highlights how disability type influences leaders' views on recruitment of persons with disabilities, in an under-researched study context of Indian organizations.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2008

Jo Dwyer and Judith Reep

Occupational therapists are concerned with how people perform across the various daily activities that are important to them. It is recognised within occupational therapy that the…

1464

Abstract

Occupational therapists are concerned with how people perform across the various daily activities that are important to them. It is recognised within occupational therapy that the presence of illness or disability might affect this performance.In order to assess how a person complete a task and identify what is making it unsatisfying, the occupational therapist will observe the person engaged in familiar activities. The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) provides a standardised framework within which to make these observations. We have found the AMPS to be useful in assessing the performance of people with learning disabilities generally, as well as in assessing those with additional mental illness.We recognise that occupational therapy assessment plays a useful part in a wider multi‐professional, multi‐agency approach to identifying and managing the needs of people with learning disabilities.

Details

Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, vol. 2 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-0180

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 April 2013

Stavros K. Parlalis

The legal system comprises one of the greatest tools for people with disabilities, in order to ensure and protect their fundamental rights. The present study aimed to focus on the…

1231

Abstract

Purpose

The legal system comprises one of the greatest tools for people with disabilities, in order to ensure and protect their fundamental rights. The present study aimed to focus on the scrutiny of the legal system of the Republic of Cyprus. More specifically, the focus was placed on those laws that refer to the employability of people with disabilities, aiming to present the extent to which disability discrimination at work is prevented in the Republic of Cyprus.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief presentation of the laws employed on the prevention of disability discrimination at work worldwide is made; then, a presentation follows on the specific laws employed in the Republic of Cyprus.

Findings

The conditions in Cyprus are quite similar compared to the international standards. Cyprus has already introduced numerous laws and regulations regarding the prevention of disability discrimination at work; also, a code of good practice and guidance against disability discrimination at work has been published. However, regardless of the differences between legislation in various countries, the importance of establishing new laws and regulations depends on the extent to which they find application in each society. Therefore, there is an imperative need to set up a national mechanism to monitor the application of these laws and regulations, in order to ensure that discrimination at work is prevented in practice and not only in theory (meaning the establishment of new laws).

Originality/value

The findings of this study are useful for policy makers regarding issues of disability discrimination at work for people with disabilities in the Republic of Cyprus.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 17 May 2021

Emile Tompa, Amirabbas Mofidi, Arif Jetha, Pamela Lahey and Alexis Buettgen

To develop a framework for estimating the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society and implement it for the Canadian context. The framework measures the gap…

3128

Abstract

Purpose

To develop a framework for estimating the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society and implement it for the Canadian context. The framework measures the gap between the current situation in terms of accessibility and inclusiveness, and a counterfactual scenario of a fully accessible and inclusive society.

Design/methodology/approach

The method consists of three steps. First, the conceptual framework was developed based on a literature review and expert knowledge. Second, the magnitudes for each domain of the framework was estimated for the reference year 2017 using data from various sources. Third, several sensitivity analyses were run using different assumptions and scenarios.

Findings

It was estimated that moving to a fully accessible and inclusive society would create a value of $337.7bn (with a range of $252.8–$422.7bn) for Canadian society in the reference year of 2017. This is a sizeable proportion of gross domestic product (17.6%, with a range of 13.1–22.0%) and is likely a conservative estimate of the potential benefits.

Originality/value

Understanding the magnitude of the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society can be extremely useful for governments, disability advocates and industry leaders as it provides invaluable information on the benefits of efforts, such as legislation, policies, programs and practices, to improve accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the total economic benefits and the benefits per person with a disability can serve as inputs in economic evaluations and impact assessments.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 October 2021

Musabber Ali Chisty, Ashrafuzzaman Nazim, Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Syeda Erena Alam Dola and Nesar Ahmed Khan

Persons with disabilities face the impacts of disasters differently. Early warning systems can be one of the powerful tools to reduce the vulnerabilities of persons with…

Abstract

Purpose

Persons with disabilities face the impacts of disasters differently. Early warning systems can be one of the powerful tools to reduce the vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities and mitigate the impacts of disasters. The main objective of this study was to assess the disability inclusiveness of the current early warning system (EWS) in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative method was focused on getting in-depth information. Persons with disabilities participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) and shared the inclusiveness and gaps of the current EWS. Through extensive literature review, a checklist was developed to conduct the FGDs. QDA Miner 6.0.6 software was used for coding and analyzing the data.

Findings

Results indicated that, though persons with disabilities have proper risk knowledge, the current monitoring and warning service, dissemination and communication, and response capability are not fully inclusive. A significant gap in the EWS was found in response capability. Even if somehow persons with disabilities manage to receive a warning about a flood, they lack the capacity to respond to the warning.

Research limitations/implications

The study proposed that to make an EWS inclusive and effective, the concerned authorities should focus on all four parts of the EWS.

Originality/value

Studies related to disability and disaster management are not very common. Conducting a qualitative study provided the persons with disabilities the opportunity to share their perspectives. Future studies can focus on vulnerability and capacity assessment of persons with disabilities to identify areas requiring interventions to enhance resilience.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 December 2021

Enoch Acheampong, Alberta Nadutey, Peter Bredu-Darkwa, Peter Agyei-Baffuor and Anthony Kwaku Edusei

The perceptions of disability conditions held by parents and immediate family members directly determine the types of treatments that are likely to opt for persons with…

Abstract

Purpose

The perceptions of disability conditions held by parents and immediate family members directly determine the types of treatments that are likely to opt for persons with disabilities whenever they are ill. Family level drivers of access to healthcare among persons with disabilities in the Bosomtwe district of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study was conducted in which data were collected from 60 participants selected purposively. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, and the results were presented thematically.

Findings

The drivers identified have been categorized into positive and negative depending on how they influenced persons with disabilities’ access to health care. Payment of medical bills, physical access support, the narration of health condition to a health-care provider, spiritual support, care and love were the positives while perceived spiritual cause of disability, preference for alternative treatment centers, unwillingness to support reproductive and specialized health care.

Research limitations/implications

This study had some limitations, and one of such is the non-inclusion of disabled people who had not been registered by the department of social welfare but resided in the district who could have provided rich information to the study. However, their exclusion did not affect the quality of data obtained, as those who were registered and selected for the study gave adequate information about the issues that were considered during the study.

Originality/value

Family members of persons with disabilities play key roles in promoting their access to health care; therefore, there is the need for stakeholders to put in measures that will limit misconceptions about disability not only for the general public but also for individuals like parents and immediate family members of persons with disabilities.

Details

International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 June 2018

John-Stewart Gordon and Felice Tavera-Salyutov

The purpose of this paper is to examine and comment on disability rights legislation by focusing on international documents on people with impairments of the last decades, in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and comment on disability rights legislation by focusing on international documents on people with impairments of the last decades, in order to provide more information on the dynamics of the disability rights movement and their moral plea for full inclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the international legislation and most important guidelines with respect to people with impairments, it is possible to portray a socio-political change by unfolding the agenda of the historical dimension of the decisive events.

Findings

The long and difficult struggle of people with impairments to beneficiaries of full human rights protection is a fundamental socio-political change that is documented by adhering to important international legislation and guidelines.

Originality/value

The examination of recent international legislation with respect to people with impairments provides historical context for current developments in the context of disability and full inclusion by conceding human rights as their moral and legal foundation.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 37 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2009

Manfred Nowak and Adriana Zarraluqui

This article describes and clarifies the human rights of persons with disabilities in the context of detention in light of the recently adopted and already in force Convention on…

Abstract

This article describes and clarifies the human rights of persons with disabilities in the context of detention in light of the recently adopted and already in force Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Convention). Focusing on the Convention, the article sheds light on the legality of certain forms of detention affecting persons with disabilities, the substantive and procedural requirements for their detention, and on their rights in relation to conditions of detention. This article also provides an account of the different treatments and practices inflicted on persons with disabilities in prisons and other institutions and assesses whether they constitute torture and ill treatment. The authors argue that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities represents a paradigm shift that requires States to modify and adopt laws, policies and practices that fully respect the right to liberty of persons with disabilities, and their equal enjoyment of rights while in detention, including the right to be free from torture and ill treatment.

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