The integration of people with disabilities into mainstream employment: a model for provincial government departments

Abstract

As civilisation has advanced, the situation of people with disabilities (PWDs) has featured ever more prominently on global, regional and national agendas. In South Africa, the transition to democracy was a focal point for recognition of the rights and status of PWDs. After the 1994 elections, the new government felt the need to transform the entire institutions, structures and systems of society. Yet despite the many successes achieved by the transformation imperative, the integration of PWDs into mainstream employment in government and private institutions has been poor. This recognition was the inspiration for this study, which seeks to provide a model for the integration of PWDs in mainstream employment within government departments. To achieve this objective, the research was framed as a case study within the transformative research paradigm. A typical department in the Western Cape provincial government was selected for the study. In-depth and context-rich interviews were conducted with top managers within the Department. The results of these led to the construction of a model for the integration of PWDs. The study found evidence that the challenges faced by PWDs in securing employment in the public service are real, and that their integration into mainstream employment is a complex matter that requires the establishment of strong systems and structural institutions. The results of the study also demonstrate that discrimination and negative attitudes towards PWDs still exist, meaning that the environment has not improved sufficiently for the realisation of targets for their integration into mainstream employment. As long as PWDs are marginalised in education they will remain without the skills and knowledge for successful integration, which in turn means that their socio-economic circumstances will remain dire. In addition, it appears that the issue of the employment of PWDs cannot be considered from a micro perspective only. The study’s findings indicate the presence of organisational, managerial, societal, and institutional factors affecting the integration of PWDs into mainstream employment. It was established that the successful integration of PWDs into public service mainstream employment has both internal and external or society-wide dimensions. These are discussed and presented in the form of a model. The study recommends strong, collaborative, society-wide dialogue, and community mobilisation for changing the national approach to disability matters. It is hoped that the model will help to advance the goal of equality in South African society that is cherished by all.