CHALLENGES FACING PERSON WITH DISABILITIES (Essay Sample)

CHALLENGES FACING PERSON WITH DISABILITIES Name: Course: Tutor: Date of submission: Abstract It is a common adage that the disability is not inability. And indeed it is not. Persons with a disability despite their physical challenges have all the immense capacity to discharge duties, responsibility and participate in public activities with equal thrust just like any other person. I have known out of experience and interaction that we have (persons with disability) special abilities despite how the world treats us. In Canada, the public participatory of persons with disability and access to employment opportunities shows a devastating trend. This research paper will delve on analyzing the criticality of this matter, reasons behind the trend and recognize the central roles that the Canadian Deaf Associations are playing in alleviating this menace. Since this is a extensive topic, I will only focus on the deaf in demonstrating these issues highlighted above. Introduction In the latest, survey done in 1998 by the Canadian Association of Deaf about the rate of unemployment and extend of public participation shows traumatizing indicators about how the Canadian labor market has neglected and restrained from opening up job opportunities for this weaker section of our populace (Carol E.1999, 232). I want to refer to this section as marginalized in the modern Canadian labor market. This survey indicates that only 62% of the Canadian deaf are used either in high professional jobs or under-employed, the remaining 38% is unemployed (Carol E.1999, 232). If you make a close comparison of 38% unemployed deaf and the national 8% level of unemployment, then this figure is unacceptable. The report also shows that only 0.1% of the total labor force is engaged in the public service is deaf, and most of them are in temporary contracts or menial positions (Laurent D, David H & Laycock, M. 2007, 343). This fifteen year old report further indicates that, the more a deaf Canadian becomes educated the higher the incidence of under-employment rather than being employed fully. There has been a dehumanizing reference to this section of people as unemployable. The figures used above are the only current statistics available from the federal government regarding the level of unemployment to the deaf. Methodology Since, records seems obsolete in addressing this issues I sought to carry out a sample survey to inform us on the nature of parameters and trends affecting Canadian deaf in accessing job opportunities and participating in public activities. Propositions in this excerpt will be informed by a survey that was conducted using 50 deaf participants chosen randomly from various deaf associations in the country. The deaf respondents are a composition of both employed and unemployed persons. The importance of the unemployed persons is to help this research establish the agony and the difficulty that this section undergoes in pursuit of jobs in a competitive labor market as ours. To evade bias and unrepresentative information as a researcher I sought information from 20 human resource managers to ascertain their views and understanding this subject matter. The study relied heavily on sample survey. The interviews were conducted on phone and both closed and opened ended questions were used. Questions administered to the unemployed and employed group entailed personal details, respondents understanding of disability policies and the challenges they face in search for jobs and public participation. The responses from this group helped so much in conducting interview from the second section of human resource managers. The interview was conducted between ordinary working hours 8 am to 5pm on May 8th, 2013 and completed on May 9th, 2013. It took us up to 10 minutes to administer these questions to the respondents. The data collected was edited and subsequently analyzed assigning various weights to responses and categorizations. Focus of this Inquiry * Is to establish the reasons which lead to reluctance in the employment of deaf Canadians and the parameters that hold them back in participation in public affairs * Indentify and analyze the pertinent issues encountered by the Canadian deaf in finding employment and demonstrate whether the work environment trigger any form of discriminations against them. And, * Make conclusions and recommendations regarding implementing the existing disability policies and improving the employment situation in Canada for the deaf and in extension to the physically challenged members of our society in entirety. Findings This section will represent the analysis of the data collected which has been analyzed and interpreted to reflect the current situation we are facing at the moment regarding this heavy matter. This section has two parts one regarding the responses obtained from the employed and unemployed group (1st respondents) and subsequently followed by the human resource managers group (2nd respondent) . Perspective of the 1st Respondents Regarding Challenges the Deaf Face In Search for Jobs Discrimination When the question of whether the 1st respondents suffered any form of discrimination in search for jobs or in places of work was administered, the responses were affirmative. A 20% of the respondents noted that they received discriminations either in terms of being granted job opportunities for those who are unemployed. And for the employed section they were discriminated against regarding awarding of responsibilities, duties and promotions. Again, 40% of the employed section indicated that they were considered as vulnerable beings in the work place and were supposed to be treated with reservations and care. This group noted that they were comfortable with their nature of jobs and the working environment. 80% percent of the unemployed deaf Canadian did not respond to the question of whether they received any form of discrimination in the places of work since they considered themselves unemployed and unfit to offer a rational verdict in regard to that matter. The results indicated that social limitations deter respondents from seeking job opportunities especially in formal organizations. Regardless of whether the social limitations come from stereotypes, ignorance, fear, hatred among others issues they are the deciding benchmarks whether persons with hearing impairments find jobs in a competitive labor market such as the Canadian. Ignorance of Where to Get Assistance The respondents where further asked whether they knew organization and government agencies where they could find information regarding employment opportunities. Only 60% percent of the respondents answered positively. The remaining section said no or remained mute about the question. 40% is such a large figure and it is very imperative for the government to engage in a serious awareness campaign to inform its populace on available opportunities in the job market. If only this population could have a connection to get the right information regarding how to get employment then the employment predicament could be solved. Improper understanding of disability policies Respondents were also asked if they understood the disability policies and if yes, give an opinion. A large proportion of the respondents 56% said that the policies were not favorable to them, 39% confirmed the policies were good but inferred that they were only in paper and government had not implemented most of them fully. Lastly, 5% of the sample did not understand the policies or were not sure whether they existed at all. The analysis of this data indicates 65% of the deaf Canadians could not agree with the proposition that policies impacted on their lives. Only a small proportion confirmed that the policies had significant effect in their lives. Financial dependency Respondents asked whether they preferred self employment or any other form of employment 80% chose self employment. They confirmed this was the only way they could work comfortably without discriminations and stereotypes and most importantly gain financial independence. The employed contends that formal employment did not give them maximum space and satisfaction especially those who are under-employment in the formal organizations. Poor Legislation and Implementation of Disability Acts Information was sought from the respondents whether legislations had in any way favored access to job opportunities or created any. A total of 62% of the sample population said that the legislations were unfavorable. This was followed by another section that had the view that the legislation had been favorable and constituted 18% of the sample population. However, 20% of the population sampled said that the legislations to some extend impacted on their lives. It must be noted that legislation may not be necessarily be a great impediment for the employment of the deaf Canadians compared to other factors. The problem with legislations is that the legislators do not focus adequately on persons with special needs and therefore their legislations do not support the employment of these persons. The Perspective of the 2nd Respondent Regarding the Challenges the Deaf Face In Search for Jobs Firstly, in the Interview I sought to know the nature of business these employers do. Majority were human resource managers working in governments ministries, agencies and departments representing 40%, followed by 32% in the service sector and 15% in the manufacturing sector. This is a comprehensive representation of the various sectors in the economy representing the employers. Representation of the Deaf and Other Persons with Disability in the Workforce Respondents were inquired about whether they employed any deaf or physically challenged persons in their firm...