„And that was really the push, the deflection, that took me in that direction..." Career opportunities and barriers for people with physical disabilities

Abstract

The opportunities for further education and employment of individuals with mobility impairments, as well as their successful career development, are significantly influenced by the availability of career orientation, career building, and labour market rehabilitation services. The evolution of the employment gap between the general population and the labour market-active members of the mobility-impaired community is a clear indicator of their employment situation.

This study reviews, on one hand, the objectives outlined in domestic and international strategic framework documents regarding the professional career development of people with disabilities, and on the other hand, the hindering factors and obstacles that individuals with mobility impairments encounter throughout their life paths and how they cope with these challenges.

Keywords: disability, mobility impairment, career, lifelong learning, employment gap, inclusive workplace, personalized services.