Project Rationale
People with disabilities are one of the poorest groups in Cambodia and experience significant disadvantage in the labour market. Although there are no official data on disability and employment status in Cambodia, people with disabilities are more likely than those without disabilities to be unemployed, in low status occupations, engaged in the informal sector, earn less or are a
bsent from the labour market. Consequently, people with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty, experience social isolation and poor mental health. As Cambodia continues to grow and integrate further with the global economy, access to secure work remains the most viable poverty reduction strategy. A key challenge for Cambodia however is to sustain growth,
reduce poverty and inequality, and to ensure all Cambodians enjoy the benefits of economic growth. Too often poverty reduction is associated with increased inequality and magnification of the difficulties faced by those living in chronic poverty, including people with disabilities. Project Goals
This research project aims to improve people with disabilities access to sustainable employment and quality of life. Two international and two local NGO employment programs will be examined using organisation and village-based field research over two and half years. Three specific questions will be examined:
How do organisational contexts, culture and social beliefs shape practices of disability inclusive development in the employment sector? How do organisations address the socio-cultural barriers faced by people with disabilities when seeking employment? What disability inclusive development strategies do people with disabilities find helpful to achieve their employment aspirations? Project Outputs
Recommendations to increase people with disabilities access to employment will be made based on what people with disabilities identify as most helpful.
