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