Objective
To understand the barriers to employment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Methods
A Mixed Methods approach was employed. Face-to-face and telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 PwDs and seven representatives from advocacy institutions for PwDs, and relevant governmental organisations. A thematic analysis of the interview data was performed. Data was also collected via self-administered surveys which captured 75 private sector employers’ perspectives on the hiring and retention of PwDs. The survey data was analysed using SPSS 26. All participants were older than 18 years old.

Results
Survey results revealed that 64% of employers had not employed PwDs, 57% provided a neutral response as to whether they would be willing to employ PwDs in the future, and 69% had not implemented workplace accommodations for PwDs. A statistically significant correlation was found between the employers’ attitudes towards hiring PwDs and their likelihood of employing PwDs 12 months later and was observed at the 0.01 level. All PwDs who applied for employment via the National Employment Service in 2019-2020 were placed. However, only 10 PwDs applied. Key barriers to the employment of PwDs were perceived discrimination by employers, the lack of legislation to enforce the national policy on PwDs, the lack of interagency collaboration, and centralised data collection on the employment status of PwDs, and inequalities in the education system.

Conclusion
Systemic challenges persist for PwDs in accessing employment opportunities. These must be addressed to improve their employment prospects.

Wednesday 19th October, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

Ms. ALLISON DARREN FRANCIS has worked with government ministries and agencies such as The Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Public Administration and Digital Transformation in the capacities of National Coordinator and Associate Consultant. Her areas of work include monitoring and evaluation (M&E), strategic planning, project management, public-private dialogue, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and youth training and development. She has also worked extensively with local and international NGOs, international organisations such as the International Labour Organization, the European Union, and international development agencies. Ms. Francis is an M&E practitioner with more than 15 years of experience and has worked extensively with marginalised sectors of society including women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

Ms. Francis is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at The University of Trinidad and Tobago. Her thesis explores the barriers to accessing employment among PwDs in T&T. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from The University of The West Indies (Upper Second-Class Honors).