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Examining the Inclusion of People with Visual Disabilities in Workplace: A Greek Case Study

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Inclusion, Equity and Access for Individuals with Disabilities

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Abstract

Work for individuals with visual disabilities is not only a matter of livelihood but also promotes social inclusion and consolidation of their self-image and self-esteem. Lately, legislative and societal changes have improved their career possibilities in the developed countries; however, in some countries such as Greece there is still a deeply embedded aspect that specific effortless occupations fit blindness. Twenty participants with visual disabilities reported via semi-structured interviews their experiences from their workplaces in relation to the career education received from school as well as their career options. They also mentioned obstacles and emotions in their workplaces and commented on their relationships with co-workers and employers. Results revealed the lack of a learning model for career education during school years. As a result, still today telephone operator is the most usual profession in Greece. The basic obstacles in their working environments concerned accommodations and accessibility as well as uncomfortable feelings during work. On the other hand, participants seemed to be very satisfied from their work status considering themselves as active members of the society and equal to their sighted colleagues. The present study put strong emphasis on the contradictory employment experiences of people with visual disabilities, and it discusses the lack of voice for people with visual disabilities, which needs to be strengthened and taken into account by educators, families, and job coaching services in their efforts to develop a supportive working environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Special Education, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

    Vassilios Argyropoulos & Vassilios Papadimitriou

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  1. Vassilios Argyropoulos
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  2. Vassilios Papadimitriou
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Correspondence to Vassilios Argyropoulos .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education, University of Calcutta, Alipore Campus, Kolkata, India

    Santoshi Halder

  2. Department of Special Education, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

    Vassilios Argyropoulos

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Argyropoulos, V., Papadimitriou, V. (2019). Examining the Inclusion of People with Visual Disabilities in Workplace: A Greek Case Study. In: Halder, S., Argyropoulos, V. (eds) Inclusion, Equity and Access for Individuals with Disabilities. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-5962-0_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-5962-0_12

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  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-5962-0

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