A Quantitative Analysis of the Work Experiences of Adults with Visual Impairments in Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of visual impairment & blindness 2013-11, Vol.107 (6), p.411-424
• Main Authors: Wolffe, Karen E., Ajuwon, Paul M., Kelly, Stacy M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Age; Blindness; Braille; Confidentiality; Data Analysis; Education; Educational Attainment; Employment; Employment Opportunities; Feedback (Response); Foreign Countries; Gender Differences; Higher Education; Income; Job Satisfaction; Large Type Materials; Likert Scales; Mann Whitney U Test; Marital Status; Multilingualism; Nigeria; Partial Vision; Participant Characteristics; People with disabilities; Postsecondary Education; Quantitative analysis; Questionnaires; Rating Scales; Research Assistants; Research Design; Researchers; Salaries; Self Concept; Statistical Analysis; Studies; Surveys; United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child; Visual Acuity; Visual impairment; Visual Impairments; Visually disabled persons; Work Experience; Working Hours
• ISSN: 0145-482X; 1559-1476
• DOI: 10.1177/0145482X1310700604

Introduction Worldwide, people with visual impairments often struggle to gain employment. This study attempts to closely evaluate the work experiences of employed individuals with visual impairments living in one of the world's most populous developing nations, Nigeria. Methods The researchers developed a questionnaire that assessed personal and professional experiences among a sample of 172 adults with visual impairments living and working in Nigeria. Statistical analysis procedures included descriptive and nonparametric methods. The Mann-Whitney U test compared the difference between the mean ranks of 12 work-experience measures (dependent variables) within the independent groups. Results Gender, degree of visual impairment (total blindness or low vision), age at onset of visual impairment (childhood or adulthood), educational attainment, and marital status were all characteristics that evidenced significant differences (p .05). Discussion Annual income, hours worked per week, confidence level performing current work, and future job opportunities were found to be significant based on participants’ gender, education, or marital status. There was overall consistency among participants in the sample (regardless of degree of visual impairment or age at onset of visual impairment). Implications for practitioners In this sample, advanced education equated to higher salaries and greater confidence in performing work. The importance of postsecondary education was affirmed in terms of future earnings and confidence.