Abstract

This research explores how employment of disabled people in Malta is/could be facilitated via the capacities of enabling technologies. The study’s starting point is a social barriers approach and then builds upon it to develop a mode of analysis informed and inspired by new materialist perspectives (Latour 2005; Deleuze and Guattari, 1988). In particular, the research deploys the concept of the ‘network’ and the ‘assemblage’ to analyse technologies as components of complex entanglements of human and non-human entities. This qualitative participatory study included focus groups, interviews and participant observations. The multiple data-sources were dredged to identify/understand the consequences of the entanglements of people, things and affects: whether these were conducive to or limiting of dis/ability. Participants in this research had physical or sensory impairments. The research hopes to prompt disabled people and their organisations to call for necessary improvements in the availability and operation of technologies supporting their participation in work. Furthermore, it offers recommendations for enhanced policy and practice to the various stakeholders in this field.

For reservations, kindly contact Ms Lucienne Brincat | Tel: 23403732 / research.fsw@um.edu.mt