Assessing the factors that affect the recruitment of people with disabilities: a case study of the city of uMhlathuze Municipality in Richards Bay on the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Disabilities have become an area of concern for policymakers across the globe as governments try to find a balance in workplaces through legislation. This study was designed to qualitatively explore the difficulties faced by people with disabilities in society. The aim was to assess the factors that affect the recruitment of people with disabilitiespeople with disabilities. Data was collected from people with various disabilities in Richards Bay's rural and urban settings in KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa. Interviews were conducted using an interview schedule during the data-gathering processes. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse field data collected from the respondents. Additionally, word cloud was utilised to capture frequencies to screen large amounts of empirical data and for insightful overview that appeared frequently to give the overall picture of the text contexts. The results showed employers could do more if they worked with people with disabilities in the community. Factors such as attitudes and self-esteem, training and development, reasonable accommodation, employers’ knowledge and awareness, society and culture, work experience and opportunities can bring positive change in the recruitment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the municipality area and how PWD see themselves and believe in themselves.