"That you are treated equally on work with others" : Disabled immigrants in the labour market
Lahtinen, Minna (2021)
Lahtinen, Minna
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021100418286
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021100418286
Tiivistelmä
This thesis aims to raise discussion about disabled immigrants in Finland. The research objective was to study the employment of disabled people in Finland, emphasizing individuals' experiences of possibilities to affect employment opportunities and processes. The societal aspect was also an essential point of view in the study as employment is a correlative process and examining the topic comprehensively is vital.
This thesis was done in co-operation with Hilma, the support center for immigrant persons with disabilities and long-term illnesses. Mixed methods were used in this study with an emphasis on qualitative research methods. The data consisted of an online questionnaire and three personal semi-structured interviews.
Key concepts of the study were employment, agency, and motivation. The important viewpoint was how an individual could enhance employment opportunities. Agency and motivation aimed to view the person's role. Agency was examined through versatile theories and connected to concepts like self-efficacy and relational agency. Motivation was recognized as a diverse and questioned term but viewed here as an internal state that pushes people towards action. Motivation was also connected and viewed with an idea of adult's lifelong learning.
The findings indicate that there are experiences of possibilities to affect own employment processes in Finland. Especially the significance of own attitude, being active and trying are emphasized. Nevertheless, also discrimination and barriers are experienced during the employment processes or in working life. Particularly, the need to examine and discuss attitudes is highlighted in this study. The perspective of this thesis is also to emphasize individuality when referencing groups like disabled people, people with long-term illnesses, or immigrants.
Keywords: Disabled immigrants, Employment of disabled people, Possibilities to affect, Agency, Attitudes
This thesis was done in co-operation with Hilma, the support center for immigrant persons with disabilities and long-term illnesses. Mixed methods were used in this study with an emphasis on qualitative research methods. The data consisted of an online questionnaire and three personal semi-structured interviews.
Key concepts of the study were employment, agency, and motivation. The important viewpoint was how an individual could enhance employment opportunities. Agency and motivation aimed to view the person's role. Agency was examined through versatile theories and connected to concepts like self-efficacy and relational agency. Motivation was recognized as a diverse and questioned term but viewed here as an internal state that pushes people towards action. Motivation was also connected and viewed with an idea of adult's lifelong learning.
The findings indicate that there are experiences of possibilities to affect own employment processes in Finland. Especially the significance of own attitude, being active and trying are emphasized. Nevertheless, also discrimination and barriers are experienced during the employment processes or in working life. Particularly, the need to examine and discuss attitudes is highlighted in this study. The perspective of this thesis is also to emphasize individuality when referencing groups like disabled people, people with long-term illnesses, or immigrants.
Keywords: Disabled immigrants, Employment of disabled people, Possibilities to affect, Agency, Attitudes