P Rondeau
Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille, Research, Longueuil (Québec), Canada
Access to employment remains a major challenge for blind and visually impaired persons, despite an evolution in attitudes, technological means and the availability of specialized services. An evaluative research study was conducted to identify factors involved in obtaining and maintaining employment and determine effectiveness relative to rehabilitation interventions. Information relative to personal factors, the rehabilitation program and the social and work environment was obtained from two sources. The first consisted of three focus groups composed of employed clients (9), clients actively seeking employment (11) and specialized workers with these clients (11). In addition, employers whose integration experiences had proved positive (10), as well as other employers (10) for whom the experience of integrating visually impaired persons was inconclusive, answered a telephone questionnaire. Analysis of the data allowed identification of 10 categories of integration determinants. In addition, there emerged 9 elements considered useful for inclusion in a rehabilitation program aimed at socioprofessional reinsertion. Common factors and divergences within the four groups of participants will be presented, as well as paths to solutions for improved specialized services.
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