A recent study by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences looks at the barriers to integrating wheelchair users in the workforce. Only 20% of disabled wheelchair users in Latvia are employed. The level of employment is even lower among female wheelchair users and non-nationals. While 74.3% of wheelchair users who are currently unemployed would like to have a job, only 41.5% are actively seeking work. The study found that, in addition to objective circumstances, such as mobility problems and environmental accessibility, there are also subjective factors influencing the integration of wheelchair users into the labour market. These include employers’ attitudes towards wheelchair users and the passivity of disabled people themselves or their reluctance to get involved in working life.
The aim of the study by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences (Baltijas Socialo Zinatnu instituts, BSZI), carried out in 2005–2006 is to ensure that wheelchair users can choose their own educational and career paths, increase their motivation to become more competitive in the labour market, and reduce social alienation and unemployment.
The study’s target groups are disabled wheelchair users in Riga and other regions of Latvia, with and without a profession, and employers.
As part of the study’s remit, researchers set out to:
The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods.
A total of 20 in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 employed and nine unemployed wheelchair users. In all, 15 interviews were in Riga and five took place outside Riga. The aim of the interviews was to analyse wheelchair users’ work experience, their motivation in being employed and in continuing their education, their involvement in social networks (including before and after becoming disabled, if applicable), and their own assessment of their social status.
Some 20 in-depth interviews were also conducted with 18 employers who had not employed wheelchair users and two employers who had done so: 16 interviews were carried out in Riga and four took place outside Riga. These interviews aimed to find out the factors motivating or hindering the employment of wheelchair users, to examine the experience of employers that have employed wheelchair users, and to identify what promotes such cooperation.
In addition, a survey was carried out involving 301 respondents including 240 wheelchair users and 61 people with other disabilities. The survey sample covered all regions of Latvia. The aim of the survey was to assess the extent of unemployment, highlight the groups at risk of unemployment and identify the specific nature of problems affecting wheelchair users.
The authors of the study put forward several hypotheses regarding the conditions affecting the integration of disabled people into the workforce which included:
The study presents a review of previous studies and active projects conducted in Latvia, as well as information on the most relevant international studies on issues facing wheelchair users. It also includes the findings of and extracts from the in-depth interviews with wheelchair users and with employers, as well as the results of the quantitative study.
Evaluating the situation in the labour market, the researchers concluded that just 20% of wheelchair users are currently in paid employment in Latvia. The ability of wheelchair users to enter the workforce is influenced by the socio-demographic group to which they belong and the age at which they became disabled. Women with disabilities are employed less frequently than their male counterparts. Disabled non-Latvians, such as Russians, Belarusians and other ethnic groups living in Latvia, are also at greater risk of unemployment than disabled Latvians.
While 74.3% of wheelchair users who are currently unemployed would like to have paid employment, only 41.5% are actively seeking work. Lack of mobility outside the home, inaccessible buildings and health problems are the main difficulties experienced by wheelchair users in the labour market and education system.
The motivation of wheelchair users to engage in paid employment is influenced to a great extent by their social contact networks. The study found that the integration of wheelchair users into the workforce requires greater public awareness and institutional support, namely from the state and social organisations.
The researchers recommend a variety of measures to facilitate the integration of wheelchair users into the labour market. They identify the need to:
Furthermore, it is necessary to:
The BSZI study is the first in Latvia devoted to wheelchair users and employers. Up to now, a number of studies and programmes have been conducted in Latvia to establish the capabilities of disabled people; however, these do not allow conclusions to be drawn about wheelchair users, largely owing to the small numbers of people from this group involved in the initiatives.
Based on analyses of the preceding studies and programmes, the researchers at the BSZI have concluded that various policy models for integrating wheelchair users into the labour market result in a variety of employment levels. However, none of the policy models has had a significant impact on public awareness of the needs of wheelchair users. So far, discrimination has only been reduced through forms of legislation, such as those pertaining to environmental accessibility.
Raita Karnite, Institute of Economics, LAS