Research

Ethnicity, disability and work - research project

Summary: Research into the inclusion of people from Black and minority ethnic groups in the labour market.

• Introduction to project
• Year one: scoping exercise
• Year two: fieldwork
• Year three: report launched
• Order research papers

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Examining the inclusion of people with sensory disabilities from black and minority ethnic groups in the labour market

Introduction to project

RNIB in partnership with the Organisation of Blind African Caribbeans (OBAC), and the Liverpool society of people with sensory disabilities undertook an investigation into the inclusion of people from Black and minority ethnic groups in the labour market. The project came about as a result of research undertaken for ‘Work Matters’, RNIB’s employment strategy document (2002) which identified that there was very little available information about blind and partially sighted people from ethnic minority groups.

Our research, which forms part of a wider study into the situation of members of five particular ethnic minority groups who have sensory disabilities, brings together data on the interaction of sensory disability and minority status. Based on a careful analysis of published data we demonstrate that, although there are significant differences between different groups and between the genders, the impact of sensory disability – frequently associated with multiple disabilities – often adds to the disadvantage already experienced by many minorities. There is also a regional effect with minorities living away from London and the South East more likely to have difficulties entering the labour market.

Funding

The partnership was successful in its application for funding from the Big Lottery Fund over three years. A research consortium was formed comprising the partner organisations as well as the University of Hull and University of Leeds, contracted to undertake a large part of the fieldwork and analysis. The group also recruited an advisory group.

Year one: scoping exercise

This first phase of the research was a scoping exercise designed to gather as much existing information available in the public domain. This comprised a review of the data, interviews with statutory and voluntary agencies working to help people with visual or hearing impairments from ethnic minority communities and a statistical review of British Labour Force survey data. All of these sources of information helped to provide a theoretical framework for the subsequent fieldwork.

Year one findings:

• Ethnicity, disability and work - data review (Word 390KB)
• Ethnicity, disability and work - interviews with key informants (Word 57KB).

Year two: fieldwork

Informed by phase one of the research project, the second year of the project was almost exclusively fieldwork intensive. These included in-depth interviews with people with sensory disabilities from Black and minority ethnic groups to understand both the barriers to and enablers of inclusion in the labour market. Around 17 focus groups were held and some 73 in-depth interviews were conducted with members of the Black and Asian community in London, the Midlands and the North West of England. The aim and purpose of these discussions was to establish understandings of disability and the impetus to engage with employment for those who are disabled. In addition six case study interviews were conducted which focussed on individuals who are in employment. The intention here was to derive principles of ‘best practice’ in recruitment and retention of sensory disabled people from Black and ethnic minorities for use by other organisations.

Year three: report launched

• Ethnicity, disability and Work - executive summary (Word 54KB).

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Cost: £7.00 including postage and packing.
Cheques to be made payable to the University of Hull and sent to:

Social Research Papers
Social Policy
University of Hull
Hull
HU6 7RX

Research team home

Content author: angela.edwards@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 06/03/2008 15:41