Education-to-Work Transition of University Students with Physical Disabilities: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Multiple challenges await students with physical disability when they are in higher education institutions or are preparing to enter the labour market after graduation. The study will, therefore, assist in understanding the issues of undergraduate students with physical disabilities which they face in the universities and the challenges they face in terms of their preparation for their transition in the labour market. Findings from this study can be utilized by academia, administrators, and career development centers to devise strategies and programs to facilitate their entry into the labour market. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were carried out with eleven students with physical disabilities in public and private universities of the twin cities; Rawalpindi and Islamabad to explore their lived experiences. Data collected through interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis. Reliability and validity of the research was ensured by credibility, dependability, transferability, and conformability. Five major themes and fourteen corresponding sub-themes emerged from analysis of the data. The main themes are attitudinal barriers, psychosocial adjustment, need of learning support, institutional challenges, and limitations in transitional skills. Findings of the research indicate lack of transitional skills in students with physical disabilities. It was depicted through two sub themes: social competence and work-career readiness. Students with disabilities desire to be treated equally as normal students by their class fellows, university staff and potential employers. When they are treated with discrimination and excessive sympathy by others, it effects their learning and makes it difficult for them to form and maintain close social relationships. This study is based on a limited number of participants and it cannot be generalized on students with other types of disabilities. Universities should focus on multiple domains simultaneously to facilitate the transition of students with physical disabilities from education to work in connection to their university-based policies. Internship programs can also be designed for vii students with physical disabilities to provide them smooth transition to the labour market. Findings have been discussed in relation to the previous literature. The findings of the study indicate that education-to-work transition is dependent on many factors that can hinder the development of transitional skills in students with physical disabilities. These include psychological factors, difficulty in assessments and assignments, lack of accessibility, and lack of support.