Understanding the Factors of Low Employment among Deaf People From the Perspective of Job Coaches

Rabeatul Husna Abdull Rahman,Halimah Mohd Yusof,Nurfarhanifarah Anuaruddin,Salwa Abdul Patah,Azra Ayue Abdul Rahman

doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i8/10567

Rabeatul Husna Abdull Rahman, Halimah Mohd Yusof + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i8/10567

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Abstract

The employment’s issues of people with disability (PWD) are not only limited to Malaysia but extend to the global context. Despite introducing the Malaysian Disabilities Act 2008, which entitled PWD for an equal right to access to employment, and various strategies at the national level, the employment rates for PWD are still low. PWDs are often excluded from the mainstream labour market, thence considered as the marginalized group. This research was conducted to explore the factors of low employment among deaf people, particularly in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Qualitative research design was employed for this study whereby a focus group discussion was conducted with job coaches in a PWD Job Placement Unit and with the president of Deaf Society. The findings revealed several organizational, people and extra-organizational factors that contribute to low employment among deaf people.

Highlights

People with disability (PWD) often had to face various struggles in getting employed
Findings and Discussion The interviews with job coaches and with the president of the Deaf Society revealed several factors that contribute to low employment among deaf people in Johor Bahru
The findings from this study revealed several issues and challenges that are crucial to be addressed in order to improve deaf people participation in the mainstream labour market

Summary

Introduction

People with disability (PWD) often had to face various struggles in getting employed. Addressing this issue, Lengnick-Hall et al (2001) argued that despite having the American Disabilities Act 1990, the employment rates for PWD are much lower than for people without disabilities. This data is true for developing countries such as in India, whereby the labour participation rate for people without disabilities is doubled than for PWD (Powers, 2008). The case may be different in developing countries such as Malaysia, where disability benefit systems are still not in place (Powers, 2008)

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