OBSTACLES IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: THE PERSPECTIVE OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS IN UKRAINE
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Published:
Dec 30, 2024
Abstract
This study examines the obstacles to employment for people with disabilities in Ukraine, emphasizing spatial, institutional, legislative, and social. The research is based on 16 in-depth interviews with people with disabilities and 8 interviews with employers representing small, medium-sized, and large enterprises. Key findings reveal systemic issues, including inaccessible infrastructure, limited educational and medical support, weak enforcement of employment laws, and persistent societal stigmas. Employers often focus on meeting quota requirements superficially, avoiding genuine inclusion. Stakeholders highlighted unclear legislation, societal stereotypes, and insufficient infrastructure. Successful employment depends on stronger legal enforcement, accessible infrastructure, inclusive workplace policies, and initiatives to challenge stereotypes. The study concludes that addressing these barriers requires comprehensive reforms and enhanced collaboration between the state, businesses, and individuals with disabilities to foster meaningful integration into the labor market.
How to Cite
Lavreniuk, S., & Odusanvo, V. (2024). OBSTACLES IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: THE PERSPECTIVE OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS IN UKRAINE. Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, (4), 204-221. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2024-4-20
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Keywords
people with disabilities, social inequalities, employment, labor market, inclusion, stakeholders
References
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28. Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady of Ukraine. (2017). Law of Ukraine on the fundamentals of social protection of persons with disabilities in Ukraine, No. 2249-VIII. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/875-12#Text (Accessed: 13 July 2023).
29. World Economic Forum. (2019). What companies gain by including persons with disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/04/what-companiesgain-including-persons-disabilities-inclusion/
2. American Foundation for the Blind. (2023). Value vs. buzz: The vital role of people with disabilities in diversity and inclusion. Retrieved from https://afb.org/blog/entry/value-vs-buzz
3. Araten-Bergman, T. (2016). Managers’ hiring intentions and the actual hiring of qualified workers with disabilities. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27 (14), 1510–1530. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1128466
4. Atay, A., Vaid, L., & Clayton, N. (2021). Disability employment: From pandemic to recovery. Learning and Work Institute. Retrieved from https://learningandwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Disability-employment-from-pandemic-to-recovery.pdf
5. Barclay, L. A., & Markel, K. S. (2009). Ethical fairness and human rights: The treatment of employees with psychiatric disabilities. Journal of Business Ethics, 85 (3), 333–345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9773-5
6. Bonaccio, S., Connelly, C., Gellatly, I., Jetha, A., & Martin Ginis, K. (2020). The participation of people with disabilities in the workplace across the employment cycle: Employer concerns and research evidence. Journal of Business and Psychology, 35 (2), 135–158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-018-9602-5
7. Bupa (2023). Disability in the workplace 2023. Retrieved from https://www.bupa.co.uk/business/news-and-information/articles/disability-in-the-workplace-report
8. Lindsay, S., Cagliostro, E., Albarico, M., Mortaji, N., & Karon, L. (2018). A systematic review of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 28 (4), 634–655. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-018-9756-z
9. Mahasneh, R., Randle, M., Gordon, R., Algie, J., & Dolnicar, S. (2023). Increasing employer willingness to hire people with disability: The perspective of disability employment service providers. Journal of Social Marketing, 13 (3), 361–379. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSOCM-08-2022-0174
10. Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. (2021). Loss of ability to work. Retrieved from https://minjust.gov.ua/m/str_23359
11. OECD. (2003). Transforming disability into ability: Policies to promote work and income security for disabled people. Paris: OECD.
12. OECD (2021). Disability, work, and inclusion in Ireland: Engaging and supporting employers. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/74b45baa-en
13. Palumbo, S., Wool, H., Loftus, B., Lovich, D., & Terzioglu, A. (2024). Supporting the diverse identities of employees with disabilities. Boston Consulting Group. Retrieved from https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/supporting-the-diverse-identities-of-employees-with-disabilities
14. Paul, K. I., & Batinic, B. (2009). The need for work: Jahoda's latent functions of employment in a representative sample of the German population. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 30 (4), 451–471. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.622
15. Pension Fund of Ukraine. (2017). Disability pensions. Retrieved from https://www.pfu.gov.ua/poslugi/vydy-pensij/pensiyi-po-invalidnosti/ (Accessed: 13 July 2023).
16. Powell, A. (2024). Disability employment gap. House of Commons Library. Retrieved from https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7540/CBP-7540.pdf
17. Ramachandra, S. S., Murthy, G. V. S., Shamanna, B. R., Allagh, K. P., Pant, H. B., & John, N. (2017). Factors influencing employment and employability for persons with disability: Insights from a city in South India. *Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 21*(1), 36–41. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_44_16
18. Schur, L., Ameri, M., & Kruse, D. (2020). Telework after COVID: A "silver lining" for workers with disabilities? Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 30 (4), 521–536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-020-09936-5
19. Semigina, T. V., & Ivanova, O. L. (2010). Employment and occupation of people with disabilities. United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved from https://www.dcz.gov.ua/sites/default/files/imce/oon.pdf
20. Sense. (2022). Complex disabilities and the cost of living: Research briefing. National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). Retrieved from https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/research/complex-disabilities-cost-of-living-sense-natcen-research-briefing/
21. Shaewitz, M. Y. D., Overton, C., & Smith, D. M. (2018). A hidden market: The purchasing power of working-age adults with disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/Hidden-Market-Spending-Power-of-People-with-Disabilities-April-2018.pdf
22. United Nations Development Programme. (2010). Pratsevlashtuvannia ta zainiatist liudei z invalidnistiu: dovidnyk dlia robotodavtsiv [Employment and engagement of people with disabilities: A guide for employers].
23. Verkhovna Rada Bulletin. (2017). Law of Ukraine. On the basics of social protection of disabled persons in Ukraine No. 2249-VIII. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/875-12#Text (Accessed: 13 July 2023).
24. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (n.d.). Labour Code of Ukraine. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/ laws/show/322-08#n951
25. Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady of Ukraine. (1992). Law of Ukraine on occupational safety, No. 2695-XII. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2694-12#Text (Accessed: 13 July 2023).
26. Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady of Ukraine. (2011). Law of Ukraine on the regulation of urban development activity, No. 2807-IV. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3038-17/en/ed20120119#Text (Accessed: 13 July 2023).
27. Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady of Ukraine. (2011). Law of Ukraine on urban planning No. 2807-IV. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3038-17/en/ed20120119#Text (Accessed: 13 July 2023).
28. Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady of Ukraine. (2017). Law of Ukraine on the fundamentals of social protection of persons with disabilities in Ukraine, No. 2249-VIII. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/875-12#Text (Accessed: 13 July 2023).
29. World Economic Forum. (2019). What companies gain by including persons with disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/04/what-companiesgain-including-persons-disabilities-inclusion/