Equal Employment Policy and Accesss to Formal Empolyment of People with Disabilities in Uganda: Case Study of Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The Equal Employment Opportunity policy has not successfully empowered People Living with Disabilities to access formal employment. In Uganda, the number of persons living with disability is estimated to be 16% but only 0.2 %=has formal employment in the NGO, private or public sectors. The purpose of the study was therefore to examine the influence of Equal Employment Opportunity policy in promoting access to formal employment of People With Disabilities in Uganda. The research adopted a descriptive study design and Eastern Uganda was used as a case study. The target population included officers in charge of recruitment in Public, private and NGOs, Community Development officers, NUDIPU members and staff in government and NGOs that implement programmes for people with disabilities. The study used qualitative methods of data collection namely: questionnaire, observation and interviews. The findings show that the implementation of Equal employment policy is fruitless. The employers have not taken the necessary steps to address the factors that limit access to formal employment opportunities of People Living with Disabilities. The limitations included unconducive working environment characterized by un favorable infrastructure, equipment and toilet facilities, lack of social support from workmates, negative attitudes by employing agencies and, lack of access to education opportunities. There is need to promote education opportunities for people with disabilities, government should ensure that all employing organizations adhere to Equal Employment Opportunity policy by providing facilities and working conditions that conform to stipulated standard criteria.