A survey of the disabled persons perceptions of human resource managers

Abstract

The survey for the study was carried out between August and September 2003. The study sought to determine the perceptions of disabled persons in employment towards Human Resource managers. It also sought to find out some of the challenges disabled persons face in the work place and what their recommendations would be. The respondents were disabled persons who are employment in Nairobi.

Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Thirty-three disabled persons completed the questionnaire. The findings of the study suggest that the disabled persons who are in employment perceive the Human Resource Managers in varied ways and this is greatly determined by the type of organization they are employed in and the type of disability they have. Regarding the disabled persons challenges in the work place, each disability group is unique and has its special needs and challenges that are dictated by their disability type.

The disabled persons to some extent do perceive the Human Resources Managers negatively because they feel that they do not understand their special needs. 60% of them believe that they have been denied employment due to their disability. They do find it difficult to get in paid employment because of the negative perceptions and attitudes towards them. However, as disabled persons they feel that they do deserve to be employed like any other person.

In conclusion, it was found that the disabled persons working in organizations dealing with disabilities perceive their Human Resource Managers more positively than those in non­ disability based organizations.

There is therefore a great need to sensitize Human Resource Managers in the non-disability based organizations on disabilities so that they are able to accommodate the disabled persons together with their special needs.

Further research is suggested to determine what actually influences the disabled persons perceptions of Human Resource Managers.