Browsing by Author "Morris, Selwyn"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exploring the facilitators and barriers experienced by persons with disabilities employed by the City of Cape Town
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Morris, Selwyn; Luger, Rosemary; Geiger, Martha; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Centre for Rehabilitation Studies.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Introduction: The City of Cape Town (CCT) is a municipality employing over 27000 people. They have reached the compulsory two percent (2%) target for employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector. Critical to this achievement is the retention of staff with disabilities. Aim of the study: To explore the facilitators and barriers experienced by persons with disabilities employed by the City of Cape Town. Methods: A qualitative exploration of the experiences of persons with disabilities employed by the City of Cape Town was conducted. Fifteen participants were purposively sampled. An interview guide was used during the semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings: The study found that supportive attitudes in the organisation and inclusion, with an emphasis on affirmation of staff with disabilities, to be important facilitators. Equally, a negative office culture and anxiety or fear to speak up were found to be critical barriers experienced by staff with disabilities in the workplace. Covid-19 was found to be both a facilitator and barrier. Conclusion: The City of Cape Town has made great strides in creating a workplace free of discrimination. They have policies and a clear strategy in place. Relationships with colleagues and management, the perceptions which both the disabled and able-bodied have of each other and workplace rights for the disabled and how these are claimed and implemented are key factors to consider. Recommendations: Disability training for target groups should be introduced to mitigate some of the barriers experienced. Training should also focus on ensuring management buy-in and leadership. Updating of current policies on disability to ensure an inclusive and consistent approach will assist with greater cohesion on disability matters within the workplace.