This dissertation was conducted to analyze the individual characteristics of the highly educated people with disabilities according to the educational level and demographic trends, and explore the perception of occupation which is related to their vo...
This dissertation was conducted to analyze the individual characteristics of the highly educated people with disabilities according to the educational level and demographic trends, and explore the perception of occupation which is related to their vocational perspectives, vocational goals, awareness of the surrounding environment, job satisfaction and holistic quality of life.
To accomplish this purpose, the current researcher surveyed people with disabilities who left university without graduating or obtained bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctorate. Associations of each disability area and rehabilitation centers throughout the nation including Jeju area, KEAD(Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled), and religious organizations were participated in this survey study.
Total 329 questionnaires of survey were collected but 17 of responses were eliminated from this sample due to the inadequate answer. Finally, 312 questionnaires were analyzed to confirm research hypothesis.
Upon examination of the survey results, the number of highly educated male with disabilities appeared slightly higher than the number of female. People in their 30s were the largest age group among the subjects. Physical disabilities were the largest disabled group among the subjects, and the legal classification of disability was mostly first or second grade level.
In educational characteristics among the subjects, the number of bachelor's degree holders occupied the biggest percentage in their educational accomplishment. College and graduate school graduates in Seoul and metropolitan areas that the access for mobility is relatively facile were the largest group among the subjects. In academic division among the subjects, the percentage of the humanities, social science and other related majors including social work was relatively higher than others.
In their actual employment conditions, the percentage of the employed group appeared relatively higher than the unemployed group. It showed the similar results in comparison with types of disability and educational accomplishment. The result also showed the polarized employment between severe and mild disability groups. that exist in employment competition of highly educated people with disabilities.
In the sub-characteristics among the employed group, most of subjects have worked as social workers or other professionals in relevant social service areas, and the annual salary of the employed group was lass than 20 million won a year. Most of subjects considered about the relationships between aptitudes and potential abilities when they were looking for their own jobs. In the sub-characteristics among the unemployed group, they appeared to have maintained the unemployed states due to their serious chronic health conditions.
Upon examination of the scales of job satisfaction of the employed group according to the types of disability and educational accomplishment, it appeared the similar results in comparison with types of disability, yet it appeared that the group of master's degree holders showed the highest level of job satisfaction when compared to their educational accomplishment. Upon examination of the scales that was measured to analysis the vocational perspectives, vocational goals, awareness of the surrounding environment and holistic quality of life, it appeared that the group of master's degree holders and the group who were employed showed the highest level among the subjects in each scale.
The results showed the urgent need for creating and discussing appropriate solutions to problems for education and employment situations of the highly educated people with disabilities. Especially, the most significant task to discuss is leaning toward the specific majors such as social work or special education and other similar majors and polarized employment between severe and mild disability groups.
Therefore, to assist that highly educated people with disabilities choose their own jobs that correspond with their own careers, abilities and interests, the following details should be reflected in all social and institutional areas.
First, the highly educated people with disabilities have to be assured of their opportunities for equal education that are appropriate for their careers and capabilities without any discrimination in various majors and the institutional materials to guide and reform this phenomenon should be preceded.
Second, the national vocational training service system that correspond with their educational accomplishment to grope for their capabilities and careers should be reinforced.
Third, the political effort to extend the labor market of highly educated people with severe disabilities should be reflected. Additionally, double counting system for people who have severe disabilities that was introduced in 2009 would be revitalized.
Fourth, the employment quota system targeting especially for highly educated people with severe disabilities should be considered as a political solution to mend the awareness of the employment of disabled workers on the perspective of social integration.
Fifth, differentiated and reserved employment or home-bound employment for the highly educated people with disabilities that correspond with their knowledge should be preceded.
Sixth, the efforts to discover the potential unemployed group and the practical survey study to investigate the actual condition of unemployment of them would be conducted.
Seventh, the systematic study for the quality of life for the highly educated people with disabilities would be conducted not only economic environment but also holistic social issues, such as health conditions, cultural benefits and leisure activities.
Finally, the political efforts in government toward the reinforcement for employment system of highly educated people with disabilities to assist that most of them exert profound influences in various fields, such as politics, economy, society, and culture as professional intellectuals would be discussed and revitalized more specifically. Additionally, more positive cooperation of society to enlarge their satisfaction and quality of life that is identical with general highly educated group.