Disability inclusivity in employment transition programmes: perspectives of African graduates with disabilities

Abstract

Purpose This study evaluates the effectiveness of African Career Networks (ACN) disability inclusion efforts by examining barriers and facilitators experienced by youth with disabilities participating in employment transition programmes, assessing the role of reasonable accommodations and analysing stakeholder attitudes that influence employer and university engagement. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods study employed an online survey (n = 92), focus group discussions and individual interviews with youth with disabilities who were current students and alumni of African Leadership Academy or Mastercard Foundation Scholars programme. Data analysis utilised a critical occupational perspective informed by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis across environmental factors that influence participation. Findings Results revealed diverse participation patterns among youth with disabilities, with mobility (40%) and visual impairments (31%) representing the largest demographics. Key barriers included inaccessible technology platforms, physical infrastructure limitations, negative stakeholder attitudes and inadequate communication systems. Facilitators included assistive technology, disability-sensitised staff, supportive peer networks and understanding employers providing reasonable accommodations. Participants emphasised the need for universal design principles, mentorship opportunities and comprehensive disability awareness training for employers rather than focusing solely on training persons with disabilities. Research limitations/implications The study's findings are limited by the relatively small sample size of 92 survey participants and the total population of 12 youth who participated in ACN's customised Career Readiness Curriculum, which may restrict the generalisability of results across the broader population of African youth with disabilities. Qualitative methods of research, however, emphasises the transferability of findings to similar contexts over statistical generalisability. The reliance on online data collection methods through MS Teams and Zoom platforms may have inadvertently excluded youth with disabilities who lack reliable Internet access or appropriate assistive technology, potentially underrepresenting the experiences of those facing the most significant digital barriers to participation. Originality/value This research provides contemporary empirical evidence from an African context on employment transitions for youth with disabilities, addressing a knowledge gap in disability employment research from African scholars. The study contributes novel insights into the effectiveness of targeted inclusion strategies and offers evidence-based recommendations for improving equitable access in graduate employment transition programmes across Africa. The findings inform policy implications for programme design of youth with disabilities' transitional efforts that challenge standardised approaches to support of this marginalised group.