THE EMPLOYABILITY OF PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN MANZINI REGION OF ESWATINI

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the employability of people with visual impairment (PVI) in the Manzini region of Eswatini. The study was located within the interpretivist paradigm. It was qualitative in approach and took a phenomenological research design. Twelve participants were selected using convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Individual indepth interviews and a focus group discussion were used to collect data that was thematically analysed. The results of the study indicates that PVI have low academic qualifications due to unconducive learning conditions that they face in school and lack of properly-equipped vocational training centres that can train visually impaired people. It was also revealed that their employability is further affected by negative attitude by possible employers, poor independent living and mobility skills. Consequently, PVI resort to begging on the streets to earn a living. The study concludes that establishing properly equipped schools, with postschool training facilities for PVI and hiring well trained personnel to teach them, would be mediatory strategies that could better the situation. Thus the study recommends that a special curriculum to cater for the PVI’s unique needs be designed and be coupled with a disability scholarship fund to cater for their tuition and boarding fees so that they would access quality education and training which will increase their chances of employability in the labour market.