Challenges in Integrating Visually Impaired Persons into Employment in Malaysia: An Exploratory Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22452/IJIE.vol17no4.1Keywords:
Visually impaired persons, Discrimination, Unemployment, Assistive technology, MalaysiaAbstract
Abstract: Malaysia has performed dismally in the 1% job placement quota policy for
persons with disabilities (PWDs). As visually impaired persons (VIPs) show a higher
degree of unemployment than other disability types, this study investigates how to
integrate VIPs into the Malaysian labour market. In-depth personal interviews were
conducted among VIPs in Klang Valley. The research sample consists of VIPs aged
between 25 years to 50 years with tertiary education. Six VIPs were employed (four in
the public sector, two in the private sector) and two were unemployed. The qualitative
data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis. While employers are reluctant to
hire VIPs considering the costs in the form of facility provision and lost productivity,
they need to value the strengths VIPs possess. This requires raising employers’ awareness
regarding the value of VIPs to their organisations. The main challenges VIPs face
include access to information and infrastructure. Access to information can be improved
through assistive technology to perform tasks efficiently. Adopting inclusive recruitment
and hiring practices, raising awareness and educating employers on the importance
of inclusivity in the organisation and implementing accessibility standards can better
integrate VIPs into the labour market.
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