Socioeconomic barriers faced by youths with disabilities in securing employment opportunities: A study of Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe. · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Zezai, Martin K.

Title

Socioeconomic barriers faced by youths with disabilities in securing employment opportunities: A study of Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe.

Abstract

The study explored the factors affecting youths with disabilities in securing employment mainly focusing with Leonard Cheshire Disability Centre in Harare Zimbabwe. The burden of unemployment in Zimbabwe was a major concern worsening youths with disabilities possibilities of securing employment in a harsh economic environment. The critical disability theory mainly informed the study. The study was primarily informed by the pragmatist philosophy being purely qualitative. A case study design was adopted in which the study setting was Leonard Cheshire that is geographically located in the capital city of Zimbabwe, Harare. The target population involved youths with disabilities under the care of Leonard Cheshire Disability Centre and the professional staff at the same institution. The sample of the study included 20 participants (youth with disabilities and professional staff). Purposive sampling was employed in selecting the study participants. Data was generated using interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The primary findings on the factors impeding youths with disabilities from securing employment from the majority of the participants included societal attitudes and stigma, lack of accessibility, limited job opportunities, insufficient support services, and employer inflexibility. It was obtained that the existing disabilities legislative frameworks are not effective towards ensuring accessibility of employment for youths with disabilities. 80% of the study participants highlighted the interventions for ensuring employment opportunities for youths with disabilities as follows; awareness and sensitization campaigns, training and capacity building for employers, enhanced vocational training programs, policy advocacy and accountability, and mentorship programs. The study recommended that Leonard Cheshire together with other relevant stakeholders such as the Council of Social Workers should implement awareness and sensitization campaigns (media, workshops, and community events) that educate the public and employers about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Disabilities

Leonard Cheshire

Socioeconomic Barriers

Supervisor

Mr. Magocha