Appraising Employment Accommodation Rights for Visually Impaired Teachers in Ethiopia: Overview of Selected Cities

Abstract

The stride of countries towards the implementation of international conceptions, standards and programmes is creating a fertile ground for persons with disability in their efforts to become part of the productive section of the population. Ethiopia’s Proclamation No. 568/2008 embraces the social-constructionist model, a conception of disability that strives towards the reduction of hurdles on the participation of disabled persons. Ethiopia has also ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) thereby endorsing accommodation in the employment rights of disabled persons. Arguably, Ethiopia did not go far enough in implementing the right of accommodation for visually impaired teachers in the high schools that are referred to in this comment, i.e., in Addis Ababa, Hawassa, Soddo and Arba Minch. This is attributable to the level of awareness of the employers about this right and the lack of finance to install some technological apparatus in this respect. Ethiopia should thus work hard to realize its commitment in the Convention by addressing the needs of Ethiopian teachers with visual impairment. Key words : Disability, visually impaired, medical model, quota model, social model, discrimination, Ethiopia