Taking the plunge : the process of empowerment for disabled persons through employment

Abstract

Mc Farlane (1998) argues that each disabled person "wants what each of us wants in our daily interactions. Each person wants to be valued and respected" (pg. 577). The main focus of this study is to highlight the main issues which are crucial in the process of empowerment of each disabled person along the way towards achieving the full advantages of an open worthwhile employment. Financial independence is not enough to improve the quality of life of disabled persons. This semi-structured qualitative research study was carried out in such a way as to identify the type of formal and/or informal support which was received by all disabled participants. Interviews with human resources managers were carried out so as to better understand the importance of a supportive environment in the workplace to encourage more disabled persons into open employment. A deep analysis on the skills acquired both before and after becoming employed was also carried out to get a clear picture of their process of empowerment. The results showed that a mixture of formal and informal support was mostly requested by all participants as this tends to reach their expectations. However social work support which strives to respect the value and dignity of disabled persons was still considered as an asset. Social workers should be able to progress with disabled persons along their ongoing process towards becoming more active participants in the transformations that will change their lives and social communities in which they live.