M Coffey
Barriers to employment for visually impaired women
Coffey, M; Coufopoulos, A; Kinghorn, K
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore barriers to employment for visually impaired (VI) women and potential solutions to those barriers.
Design/methodology/approach – Mixed methods, comprising three phases; first, exploratory interviews with VI women (n=6) and employers (n=3); second, a survey to assess the barriers to employment experienced by this group (n=96); and third, in-depth interviews with VI women (n=15). This paper reports phases 2 and 3.
Findings – The most commonly reported barriers to work were: negative employer attitudes; the provision of adjustments in the workplace; restricted mobility; and having an additional disability/health condition. Significantly more barriers were reported by women: who reported that their confidence had been affected by the barriers they had experienced; with dependents under 16; and women who wanted to work.
Research limitations/implications – Key solutions to these barriers included: training for employers; adaptive equipment; flexibility; better support; training and work experience opportunities; and more widely available part-time employment opportunities.
Originality/value – This paper adds to the literature in respect of the key barriers to employment for VI women, together with providing key solutions to these barriers.
Citation
Coffey, M., Coufopoulos, A., & Kinghorn, K. (2014). Barriers to employment for visually impaired women. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 7(3), 171-185. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-06-2013-0022
| Journal Article Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Date | Jan 10, 2014 |
| Publication Date | Sep 2, 2014 |
| Deposit Date | Feb 22, 2016 |
| Journal | International Journal of Workplace Health Management |
| Print ISSN | 1753-8351 |
| Electronic ISSN | 1753-836X |
| Publisher | Emerald |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 171-185 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-06-2013-0022 |
| Publisher URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-06-2013-0022 |
| Related Public URLs | http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/ijwhm |
| Additional Information | Funders : Catholic Blind School Projects : Barriers and Facilitators to Employment for Visually Employed Women |