Employability of Persons with Disabilities: Job Coaches’ Perspectives

Abstract

Opportunity and participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the workforce is still a challenge in Malaysian context. Various efforts and initiatives have been continuously undertaken to secure inclusion of PWDs in the workforce. This includes introductory employment support service program called Job Coach. The job coach program largely provided by the Department of Social Welfare and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) focuses on helping Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in securing employment in the workplace. This paper discusses about perspectives of Job Coaches of one organisation in southern region of Malaysia in enhancing participation of PWDs in the employment market. This qualitative study using semi-structured interviews involved seven participants who actively responsible in job coaching of the PWDs. Results of the study revealed that there are ten key points shared by these Job Coaches in helping PWDs to secure employment and increase their participation in the work setting. Implications of the study to the organisation in particular and to the general public at large are also examined and to be considered in order to ensure PWDs’ inclusion in the workplace and their well-being could be continuously and effectively promoted.