Exploring Barriers in the Provision of Decent Employment for Persons with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Unemployment has remained a very serious issue for persons with disabilities in developing and under-developed countries. A very small number of individuals with disabilities have an access to employment in the country. This qualitative research paper aims at exploring the barriers in the provision of decent employment for PWDs in Pakistan. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted constituting purposively selected eight stakeholders. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Key barriers identified were unavailability of accurate and reliable data while making policy; weak monitoring of the policy execution; non-productive transition planning in the educational institutions; insufficient vocational training and passive role and shortage of vocational training centers; lack of demand-driven skill training; infrastructure; transportation barriers and negative attitudes of the employers towards disability. It has been recommended that an effective ecosystem to be formed to support employment for PWDs and all existing laws for their empowerment may be implemented in true letter and spirit.