Factors affecting the opportunity to enter the labor market of persons with disabilities who receive vocational training in vocational rehabilitation institutions of government
Abstract:
The purposes of this research are; (1) to study the patterns and vocational courses of the vocational rehabilitation institutions of government for persons with disabilities, (2) to study the factors that affect the opportunities for persons with disabilities who receive vocational training from the vocational rehabilitation institutions of government to enter the labor market and (3) to investigate the problems and difficulties of persons with disabilities that pass through vocational training to the labor market. This study is mixed methods research that applies both the quantitative and qualitative methods. The samples in this study were ; (1) 364 persons with disabilities who received vocational training, and (2) 18 staff from vocational institutions. Data were gathered from questionnaires and recording documents were the researching tools. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as mean, frequency, percentage and standard deviation. The inferential statistic is a comparative analysis of the differences of means (t-test), the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and regression analysis. This research has found that the pattern and vocational courses of vocational training from vocational rehabilitation institutions of government consists of several programs. They are flexible and able to be modified in order to suit the disability of each persons with disabilities. Most of the persons with disabilities were satisfied with the vocational training from vocational rehabilitation institutions of government. The factors that affect the opportunities to enter the labor market of the persons with disabilities who received vocational training from vocational rehabilitation institutions of government can be divided into 4 categories; individual, environment, operation, vocational and working conditions. It is found that there were all types of disabilities among the persons with disabilities in the vocational institutions. Most of them are employees that earn approximately 5,000-10,000 baht per month, which is not sufficient for their daily expenses. The most important factor that effects the operations of the persons with disabilities in the organization is the work environment and work place. There are three main problems and difficulties that impact the recruitment of persons with disabilities. First of all, the organizational attitudes that are not assured and accepting of the ability of the persons with disabilities. Second, skills and preparedness of the persons with disabilities that are required for work in the organization. Finally, the vocational training does not meet the labor markets requirements.