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Assistive Technologies in a Workplace Environment: Barriers for the Employment of People with Disabilities

JAKOVLJEVIC, M
BUCKLEY, S
2011

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Purpose: The employment equity policies and implementation of technology- specific guidelines within the South African ‘Code of Good Practice on the Employment of People with Disabilities’, was created to encourage employment equity for employees with disabilities, by companies in Johannesburg.

 

This study reports on the results of the investigation in assistive technologies in a workplace environment, and barriers for the employment of persons with disabilities in the South African environment.

 

Method: Qualitative data, collected from two retail and service companies in the form of semi-structured individual and focus group interviews, was analysed using a constant comparative method, identifying major themes and sub-themes.

 

Results: A surprisingly small number of persons with disabilities were found to be employed by participating companies, which tended not to focus on these people when formulating their policies and plans. In addition, technological aspects of the Code were largely unacknowledged, with little effort being made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities. An even lower incidence of assistive technology usage was found, along with a large number of conceptual and perceived barriers that hinder the employment of persons with disabilities and the implementation of appropriate technology.

Of course we can : report on the rights of persons with disabilities in Timor-Leste

UNITED NATIONS INTEGRATED MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE (UNMIT)
OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (OHCHR)
September 2011

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From 2010 to 2011, UNMIT’s Human Rights and Transitional Justice Section (HRTJS) conducted research on the rights of persons with disabilities. This report presents an overview of the research and highlights that, even though progress has been made in Timor-Leste to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, further steps are still needed. The report gives priority recommendations for the government, donors and the United Nations for these steps to be implemented

‘Welcome to My Life!’ Photovoice: Needs Assessment of, and by, Persons with Physical Disabilities in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

TIJM, M M
CORNIELJE, H
EDUSEI, A K
2011

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Persons with physical disabilities face many architectural and social barriers to community participation. This research employed the ‘Photovoice’ method. The aim was to gain insight into the daily lives of persons with physical disabilities, and to assess their needs in the Kumasi metropolis. Participants in this study were trained and instructed to photograph their everyday activities, so as to document their struggles and concerns, to promote critical dialogue and to reach policymakers. Results indicated a number of concerns, such as poor accessibility to public toilets, transport and buildings, as well as a need for attitudinal change and equal opportunities. Other needs which were raised by theparticipants included economic empowerment, marketable vocational training, accident prevention, affordable and quality rehabilitation, and the establishment of emergency shelters. It was concluded that the most pressing needs of persons with disabilities were related to overall social, employment and accessibility issues. Finally, the ‘Photovoice’ methodology offered a suitable, structured, and participatory way to assess the needs of persons with disabilities. It gave this marginalised group a voice through photographs, and formed an excellent way of disseminating the findings of this study to the stakeholders involved.

Stockholm : the city for everyone

CITY OF STOCKHOLM
2010

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This report provides a general overview of City of Stockholm’s easy access project to make its streets and squares and city-owned properties, accessible and serviceable to all. The programme aims to remove all accessibility barriers by 2030 This report is useful for anyone interested in urban accessibility

Accessibility standards : a practical guide to create a barrier-free physical environment in Uganda

UGANDA NATIONAL ACTION ON PHYSICAL DISABILITY (UNAPD)
Ministry of Gender
Labour and Social Development
2010

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This guide promotes better accessibility for persons with physical disabilities in Uganda by providing information for constructors or developers to build accessible environments. It presents information about how to construct standard ramps, toilets, lifts, road in addition to wells, furniture and more. These accessibility standards are useful for Architects, policy makers and implementers on accessibility requirements during the design and implementation of construction projects

Barriers to sustainable access of children and families to ART centres in rural India : a report on operations research conducted in Maharashtra and Manipur

INDIA HIV/AIDS ALLIANCE
December 2009

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This report identifies barriers that children and families face in accessing anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centres in rural India. The report also seeks to find solutions to these barriers based on an operations research conducted in Maharashtra Pradesh and Manipur. Operations research objectives: * To build an understanding among policy makers of the barriers faced by children and caregivers accessing ART services in rural communities. * To assess and highlight a basic minimum level of standards for ART centres in terms of adequacy, quality and timeliness of support needed. * To explore opportunities for linkages with state and district level departments and/or local self-governing institutions

The epidemic divide

HEALTH AND CARE DEPARTMENT, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES (ICRC)
July 2009

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The burden of epidemics of infectious diseases on the social and economic development of poorer countries is growing, but is not being sufficiently addressed. This paper argues that to reduce the impact of epidemics involves addressing complex issues that include prevention of disease, empowering communities, better access to health services at the community level, availability of health personnel and better infrastructure (especially for water and sanitation)

Primary education for disadvantaged children project

INORWEGIAN AGENCY FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION (NORAD)
May 2009

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This report presents the evaluation findings of the Primary Education for Disadvantaged Children Project (PEDC), a multi-donor project, with support from World Bank, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and Norway, containing a number of sub-projects set specific goals in areas ranging from improving the infrastructure in schools to inclusive education for disabled children and reaching street children and other high risk groups

Norad collected reviews

Guidelines for creating barrier-free emergency shelters

CURTIN, Michael
February 2009

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This manual provides guidance on the design and building of barrier-free emergency shelters that are used by all people within a community following a natural disaster, such as a flood or landslide. It provides information with examples of the essential aspects to consider when designing and building barrier-free emergency shelters, such as ramps, toilets, cooking areas, waterpumps and shelters. Recommendations are also highlighted to ensure accessible environments for people with specific disabilities. The information for this manual is based upon a 'Mainstreaming disability and people with disabilities into disaster management in Nepal' project, which was implemented by Handicap International in December 2007. This manual is useful for people interested in the design and building of barrier-free emergency shelters

UNICEF toilet solutions for child-friendly schools in Rwanda

GINOULHIAC, Luca
2009

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This conference paper presents a design for standard toilet blocks with single, unisex, accessible toilet cubicles for primary schools in Rwanda. The design is based on the Child Friendly School approach implemented by UNICEF Rwanda in partnership with the Ministry of Education. This paper is useful for people interested in primary school infrastructure

The sustainability and impact of school sanitation, water and hygiene education in Kenya

NJUGUNA, Vincent
et al
2009

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This report details a study that investigated the impact and sustainability of school interventions for water, sanitation and hygiene education (WASH) in three districts in Kenya. The key findings of the study are: that sufficient taps for handwashing in toilets result in increased handwashing and cleaner toilets, and toilets that are clean and provide privacy are better used by children

Disability and public shelter in emergencies

TWIGG, John
et al
2009

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This presentation presents the good practices, experiences, context and ways forward for disability and public shelter in emergencies and emphasises the need for inclusive emergency planning. This presentation is useful for people interested in disability and public shelter in emergencies
UCL Research Challenges 2009

Design manual and guidelines for accessibility : for creation of barrier free environments to make buildings and facilities accessible to people with disabilities

PAKISTAN EVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANTS LIMITED (PEPAC)
2009

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This manual provides guidelines for making and creating accessible environments, featuring accessibility guidelines to public places and areas for persons with disabilities. These guidelines are to be applied during the design, construction and modification of buildings and facilities to the extent as required by the law or to exceed the minimum requirements for provision of facility. It contains design guidelines, dimensional standards and specifications for constructing new as well as existing buildings, facilities, spaces and areas accessible to people with disabilities within the provisions of The Accessibility Code of Pakistan

How to build an accessible environment in developing countries : manual #2 - access to water and sanitation facilities : part 1 - toilets and closed showers

DAVID, Vincent
December 2008

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This practical manual provides a detailed overview about how to build accessible water and sanitation facilities, specifically accessible toilets and closed showers. Information is highlighted about internal construction of toilets, external construction of toilets and the construction of accessible closed showers for both a water basin and water jar. Different construction methods and materials with technical drawings are provided This is manual two, part one of a three-manual series and is useful for people interested in learning about accessible toilets and closed shower in developing countries

How to build an accessible environment in developing countries : manual #2 - access to water and sanitation facilities : part 2 - open washing areas and water points

DAVID, Vincent
December 2008

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This practical manual provides a detailed overview about how to build accessible water and sanitation facilities, specifically accessible open washing areas and water points at lakes and rivers. Information is highlighted about washing areas with pumps and/or wells, open washing areas with jars or water tanks, and docks for access to rivers, lakes and water pools. Details are given for various construction methods and materials in technical drawings This is manual two, part two of a three manual series and is useful for people interested in learning about the construction of accessible open washing areas and water points in developing countries

Promoting access to the built environment

WILM, Susanne
NOE, Christiane
November 2008

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“"These guidelines on 'Promoting Access to the Built Environment' reflect international standards and recommendations about accessibility in the built environment, and have been developed to assist CBM, its partners and other interested agencies in creating a more fully accessible environment"

Design for all : implications for bank operations

SNIDER, Harold
TAKEDA, Nazumi
October 2008

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This report proposes universal design (UD), a US term for inclusive design, to be adopted by the World Bank in its infrastructure projects. The benefits and applications of UD are presented, including in water and sanitation, and reasons for its adoption are provided. Case studies illustrate UD applied to developing country contexts. This report is useful for people interested in universal design in developing countries

Promoting safe egress and evacuation for people with disabilities

MCGLENNON, Michael
GREEN, White Young
MONTGOMERY, Stephen
2008

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This aims of this guide are threefold: it provides awareness on the issue of egress and the implications for people with disability; it identifies egress features that are normally designed into buildings and preparing risk assessments and emergency evacuation plans; and it offers guidance on providing safe egress for people with disabilities. This resource would be of interest to anyone with an interest in disaster management, disability and safety

Sanitation for primary schools in Africa

REED, Bob SHAW, Rod
2008

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This book provides easy-to-use tools for assessing sanitation, water supply and handwashing facilities in primary schools in Africa, aimed at improving sanitation. It also presents illustrated information about guidelines to encourage handwashing with soap, various types of latrines, and technical designs. It would be useful for agency and government staff who are interested in sanitation in primary schools in Africa The link provides electronic access to the book, in English, as a single pdf, in addition to posters in English and Spanish

International best practices in universal design : a global review

DION, Betty
et al
August 2007

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This review provides an international overview of the technical information on accessibility criteria for the built environment that is being used by countries as they prepare to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The document compares the accessibility codes and standards from 16 international jurisdictions, including the new standards from Canada and the USA, as well as standards from Mexico, Uruguay, Sweden, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Lebanon

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