Examining the Nexus Between Self-Determination of Youth Who are Blind or Deaf and Employment

Abstract

Access to employment depends on intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Despite advancements and
targeted training in Technical Education and legal provisions to promote the employment of
persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya, reports and research indicate an unemployment
rate of 80-90% among people of this category. Employers report a lack of visibility of young
persons who are blind or deaf in the employment pools. Existing literature dwells a lot on
external barriers to employment with little attentiongiven to intrinsic factors of the individual
youth. This study sought to examine the nexus between self-determination and employment of
youth who were either blind or deaf after undergoing technical training. A cross-sectional
survey with 146 participants was carried out, utilizing structured questionnaires. The sample
size was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan technique. Descriptive statistics were
used to analyse quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data.
Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests and logistic regression models, were applied
to examine associations between self-determination and employment. The study reveals that
self-determination, expressed as self-advocacy, self-presentation, and self-expression, were
statistically significant in the employment of TVET graduate youths who are either blind or
deaf. Participants who exhibited higher levels of self-determination were in employment.
Self-expression was the most significant intrinsic characteristic. Overall self-determination
reflected a significant P-value of 0.002. These results were further confirmed by the selfreporting of employers who indicated that they preferred to meet the graduate youth in
person before job engagement. In conclusion, self-determination is an intrinsic competence
that has to be nurtured in youth who are either blind or deaf to enhance their employability
and ensure that they pass the “fit for work” evaluation during in-person sessions with
prospective employers.