SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AND SOCIAL SERVICES: ACCESSIBILITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Abstract

One of the foremost factors that integrate individuals into both life and society is undeniably the realm of employment. When considering disabled individuals, the working environment not only becomes a social right but also emerges as a primary means of participation in social life. Regular employment in a structured job is a crucial step in social inclusion for disabled individuals. The social conditions of the work environment, along with occupational health and safety considerations, are imperative for achieving positive outcomes in employment. In the literature, the requirements for the adaptation of disabled individuals to the work environment are largely addressed within the scope of "vocational rehabilitation for the disabled." However, a holistic examination of the subject reveals that the adaptation of disabled individuals to the work environment, both physically and socially, transcends this concept and encompasses multidimensional aspects. This study employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on perspectives from social work and occupational health and safety, to assess the current state of adaptation of disabled individuals to the work environment in terms of health and safety. The research aims to identify the existing conditions and explore the challenges faced by disabled individuals in this regard, while also investigating potential solutions. Through the research findings, the challenges encountered by disabled individuals in terms of health, safety, and social adaptation in work environments have been categorized. The causes of these challenges have been identified, and recommendations for solutions have been proposed. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the integration of disabled individuals into the workforce by offering insights from both social work and occupational health and safety perspectives in a comprehensive and multidimensional manner.