To investigate the experiences of people working with a physical disability in Ireland

McLoughlin, Melissa (2017) To investigate the experiences of people working with a physical disability in Ireland. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This research by Melissa McLoughlin investigates the experiences of people working with a physical disability in Ireland. The study gives particular attention to the areas of access to employment, reasonable accommodations and training and development opportunities. To develop a strategy, it was important firstly to understand current literature around the subject area. A review of existing literature was carried out and determined that despite anti-discriminatory legislation and government employment schemes people with disabilities remain at a disadvantage in terms of employment prospects. The development of the social model of disability has created numerous barriers to employment, for people with disabilities.

In order to draw comparisons from existing research on the area an investigation was carried out to examine the employment experiences of six individuals with a physical disability in Ireland. The type and extent of the applicant’s disabilities varied. The areas of access to employment, reasonable accommodations and training and development opportunities were explored with participants. In addition, respondents were asked to give their views regarding current inclusive employment practices and whether or not they feel more needs to be done to build inclusive working environments for all.

A qualitative method of data collection was used, furthermore individual, in-depth interviews were applied, generating a rich variety of feelings, experiences and opinions about the subject at hand. The results of this endeavour confirmed the findings of the literature review, barriers to employment for people with disabilities are very much in existence, however while the literature is very one sided, the results of this study indicate there is a lot is being done to ensure the needs of workers with disabilities are being met, but more still needs to be done.

By combining the results of the literature review and interview process, several recommendations on how to build more inclusive working environments were reached.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Employment of People with Disabilities H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Training and Development
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	14 Nov 2017 13:51
Last Modified:	14 Nov 2017 13:51
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/2816

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