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A Closer Look into Experiences of an Employed Person: A Narrative Inquiry

Abstract

Persons’ with disability already have a difficult time in getting employed because of
their state. People that they work with could still view them as less capable. In this narrative
study, the researchers aim to understand the experiences of an employed person with
disability in the workplace, how their disability affects and influence their employment
opportunities, how their workplace treats them and to know more about the different
challenges and struggles they had to face. Hence, this qualitative research with narrative
peg has explored the lived experiences of a visually impaired employee. This study was
conducted at The Helping Hands in SM City Consolacion, through in-depth interviews and
data triangulation with the participant and two key informants. The data collected through
interview questionnaire, audio recording, and field notes, and have ensured to keep the data
of the participants protected and confidential. Furthermore, the member checking process
and thematic analysis were also utilized to ensure the validity of this study. In connection,
this paper centers about the themes in this study such as (1) strengths and serviceability of
the participant in the workplace, specifically the qualities of the participant that helped him
maintain his job (2) the working environment of a PWD, it discusses mainly about his built
relationships in his workplace, (3) issues and problems faced by an employed PWD, the
challenges that the participant has gone through in his life from being unemployed to being
employed Hence, the generalization hereby arrives that having a disability has a big impact
in a person’s life and it shapes the participant to become better.

Keywords:
narrative, person’s with disability, struggles, issues, experiences, workplaces,
serviceability,

Introduction

A disability is defined as an impairment that may be cognitive, developmental,

intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or some combination of these. It substantially
affects a person's life activities and may be present from birth or occur during a person's
lifetime. Thus, the term is used to refer to individual functioning in which interaction with
various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis
with others.

Persons with disabilities have been around from the beginning, and for a long time
they have been looked down on. Their disabilities are what makes them vulnerable to
judgement wherever they go especially in public places. Sometimes they are viewed as
people who are incapable of doing work because of their disability. Their skills and
potentials are looked through because they may be physically disabled, deaf, blind or any
kind of disability. Disabled people already have a difficult time in getting employed
because of their state. Even when they are already employed, people that they work with
could still view them as less capable. And with that being said, job opportunities and
benefits in the Philippines that are given to able-bodied persons should also be available to
people with disabilities especially if they are capable of doing the job.

According to Institute for Labor Studies, studies revealed that people with
disabilities are considered the most marginalized and economically disadvantaged groups.
Most of them are poor and suffering from restrictions to work in the manner or within the
range of considered normal for a human being. Furthermore, their impairments make them
vulnerable to the different environmental barriers, social norms, and negative attitudes by
the abled members of the society. And mostly they are denied access that are basic to
human development such as employment and opportunities being freely accessed by other
abled persons.
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As the sector of people with disability continues to grow yearly, the lack of
employment and opportunities for persons with disabilities become harder. The World
Health Organization (2018) reported that about 15 % of the world’s population live with
some form of disability. According to Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural
Communities in (2015), the percentage of the disability population that is male is lower in
metropolitan counties (47.5%) and higher in micropolitan (49.8%) and non-core counties
(50.7%). However, for women the percentage of the disability population is higher in
metropolitan (52.5%) and lower in micropolitan (50.2%) and non-core (49.3%). So, in
general it seems that the urban population of people with disabilities trends towards female
whereas the rural population of people with disabilities tends to be more male.

On the other hand, International Foundation of Electrol Systems had a research on

2017 that in Southeast Asia that equals almost 90 million people with disabilities.
According to the hurights osaka, out of a total number of 1.26 million persons with
disabilities in Japan who are working, 240,000 are employed. This translate the importance
of people with disabilities has being appreciated and also given support in realizing their
human rights.

According to Philippine Statistics Authority in 2017, there are about 16 per

thousand of the country’s population had disability of the 92.1 million household
population, 1,443 persons or (1.57%) had disability. Furthermore, the International
Disability Rights Monitor reported that in (2013), there are (62.9%) of the PWDs in the
Philippines are still not employed and (57.1%) were employed PWDs. More than half of
them belonged to the working age group of 15 years old and over. Thus, this leads to the
formulation of this study to further explore about the experiences of the PWDs not only in
the workplace but within the society.

In accordance to National Council on Disability Affairs (2012), the Philippine

government has been taking efforts to integrate PWDs into the mainstream of society for
the past decades. Several laws, policies, and programs toward their protection,
rehabilitation, and development have been issued and implemented. PWDs in the
Philippines are given rights and privileges in order for them to live a more convenient life
considering their disability. However, despite various efforts undertaken for workers with
disabilities, they remain inadequate and insufficient. Hence, they are hardly equipped for
competitive and gainful long-term employment. There are still many PWDs continue to
experience work discrimination, unequal rights, and limited opportunities, and suffer from
no social protection at all.

Aside from the international and national situations stated, locally occurring
situations and experiences have observed nearby. In a SM mall in Consolacion, Cebu, some
workers with disabilities are observed to be working in a massage service establishment
with other abled workers and customers. In everyday, they have been coping up the
struggles of being disabled in their workplace. Hence, these observations could be implied
that there are financial, psychological and social impacts of disability which are yet to
discover through this research.

The international to local situations have possessed a financial, psychological, and

social impacts on a person with disability. With the experiences and data connected
relatively, it is essential in understanding every aspect of persons with disabilities.

Hence, in this narrative study, the researchers hope to know more about the
experiences of the employed people with disabilities. To have in-depth knowledge about
their personal experiences in their workplace, how their disability affects and influence
their employment opportunities, how their workplace treats them and lastly, to know more
about the different challenges and struggles they had to face in order for them to maintain
their job.
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Review of Related Literature

This section provides an overview of the previous studies made aligned with the
experiences of employed persons with disabilities (PWD). It provides the framework that
supports the topic that is within the main points that will be introduced further into this
study.

According to the World Health Organization (2013), disabilities is an umbrella

term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An
impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty
encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction
is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Disability is
often initially encountered as an atypical mental or physical condition whose impact on
well-being is mediated by the physical and social environments (Wasserman et al., 2016).

Disability is not just a health problem or attribute of individuals, but it reflects the
problems individuals experience in their interaction with society and physical movements.
Disabled persons remain neglected part of society and they also experience various barriers
due to restriction of participation (Kuvalekar et al., 2015). The researchers hope to know
more about the experiences of the employed people with disabilities. To have in-depth
knowledge about their personal experiences in their workplace and how their disability
affects and influence their employment opportunities.

This study is mainly anchored to the critical disability theory, this is a theoretical
structure in order to understand and study disability which is simultaneously explanatory,
practical and normative. The goal of critical disability theory is to include persons with
disabilities to participate in contemporary society. Critical disability theory is rooted in a
critique of traditional discourses and assumptions of disability which serve to oppress
persons with disabilities and infringe on their human rights. The theory is built upon the
argument that “disability is not fundamentally a question of medicine or health, nor is it
just an issue of sensitivity and compassion; rather, it is a question of politics and
power(lessness), power over, and power to” (Gillies, 2014). This perspective challenges
able-bodied supremacy and the oppression that arises from restricting economic and
social benefits to persons with disabilities which are then redistributed as privileges to be
negotiated (Gillies, 2014).

To support the main theory of the study, the social model of disability theory is a
way of viewing the world, developed by disabled people. The model says that people are
disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference. Barriers can be
physical., like buildings not having accessible toilets. Or they can be caused by people's
attitudes to difference, like assuming disabled people can't do certain things. The model
looks at what is 'wrong' with the person, not what the person needs. It creates low
expectations and leads to people losing independence, choice and control in their lives.

Previous researches have made studies relating to the different experiences of

people with disabilities. Studies that tackled topics like discrimination, stigma, treatment,
employment, serviceability, and strengths of persons with disabilities. These topics support
the main and supporting theories of this study. The researchers have collected and stated
all the related studies and it were subdivided into themes.

Discrimination and Stigma

People with disabilities face all forms of discrimination and exclusion from the
social., cultural., political., and economic life of their communities. In many contexts,
people with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty, yet are often not
appropriately considered or included in development programs. There is growing
recognition of the need for disability-disaggregated data to increase understanding of the
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prevalence of disability and, equally importantly from a development programming

perspective, to support the design, implementation, and monitoring of effective, inclusive
development programs. Responding to the needs and priorities of people with disabilities,
for example, requires context-specific information on the lived experience of disability and
how this intersects with access to essential life domains, such as health, education,
employment, and social inclusion. The prevalence of disability was associated with age
and no schooling, but not associated with poverty (Marella et al., 2016).

Furthermore, people with disabilities have significantly lower well-being scores

and reduced access to health services, work, rehabilitation, education, government social
welfare, and disaster management than people without disability. Having a disability and
negative family attitudes were reported as barriers for people with disabilities participating
in work, community meetings, religious activities, and social activities (Marella et al.,
2016). Disabled people experience various barriers due to restriction of participation and
their lives are affected with poor health outcomes, low education, lack of social and
economic participation, higher rates of poverty and increased dependency (Kuvalekar et
al., 2015). Organizations working with people with disabilities have found that stigma often
lies at the root of the discrimination, exclusion and low status, experienced by people with
disabilities and their families in all aspects of their lives in low and middle-income
countries (Rohwerder, 2018). Combined with poverty and other barriers, stigma and
discrimination put people with disabilities’ rights at risk (Rohwerder, 2018). At the
individual level, stigma and discrimination can result in internalized oppression and
feelings of shame as people with disabilities may have to face great challenges in
overcoming the negative views of their community or societies to achieve self-acceptance
and a sense of pride in their lives (Rohweder, 2018).

Additionally, children with disabilities from minority groups can face additional
discrimination on ethnic grounds (Rohwerder, 2018). Stigma is not only associated with
disability but gender in many African countries, females who are disabled are doubly
disadvantaged. Females with obvious disabilities are more likely to be abandoned or killed
at birth, and in many places, they have higher mortality rates than their male counterparts
(Rohwerder, 2018). In general., across the world, organizations working on disability find
that girls and women with disabilities are most affected by stigma and discrimination,
experiencing it both as a result of their disability and their gender (Rohwerder, 2018).

Employment for PWD’s

Persons with disability (PWDs) are among the vulnerable groups in the Philippines
that need utmost attention from the government. This is the perhaps the reason why the
institutional and legal environment has been made favorable to this particular group,
especially in the area of employment. However, earlier reports note that the quality of
employment of PWD s still needs improvement (Mina, 2013). participation of PWDs in
the Philippines are inconsistent and not well-established (Gatchalian, 2014). People with
disabilities can struggle to find work and when in work often face ‘discrimination, abuse
and marginalization by nondisabled colleagues and managers who believe that the
employee with a disability is automatically less capable and less productive than
nondisabled workers’ (Rohwerder, 2018).

Moreover, an article by Cortes (2013) stated that Filipino employers prefer PWDs
who are males, are non-college degree holders, have motor disability, and with previous
related work experience for “blue-collar” jobs. The work arena for PWDs is largely male-
dominated like in mainstream employment, where female PWDs suffer double discrimination
because of their gender and because of their handicap. Apparently, businesses in the
Philippines also favor PWDs applying for nonprofessional jobs which may explain why
employers choose noncollege degree holders over those who have finished higher studies.
Moreover, PWDs who have restricted physical movements and prior work experience may
find it easier to get jobs in most companies.
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Many PWDs belong to the poorest sector of the society and their poverty and
disability severely limits their entry into formal employment. The perception of Filipino
employers toward PWDs in the workplace can be classified into four categories: “Negative
Stereotype” (low productivity, frequent absenteeism and turnover), “Added Business
Value” (image as having positive work ethics, morale booster, company prestige), “Added
Cost and Efforts at Management” (additional safety measures, needs closer training and
supervision) and “Social Cost” (negative reactions from customers and co-workers).
Statistical analysis showed that the factor “Added Business Value” proved to be the best
predictor for hiring PWDs. The primary and often only consideration of Philippine
employers is the positive company image that decisions to hire PWDs will bring to the
company (Cortes, 2013).

However, the social model also helps us recognize barriers that make life harder for
disabled people. Removing these barriers creates equality and offers disabled people more
independence, choice and control (Scope, n.d.). The social model of disability says that
disability is caused by the way society is organized, rather than by a person’s impairment
or difference. It looks at ways of removing barriers that restrict life choices for disabled
people. When barriers are removed, disabled people can be independent and equal in
society, with choice and control over their own lives (Disability Nottinghamshire, 2019).

According to People with Disability Australia (2018) a social model perspective

does not deny the reality of impairment nor its impact on the individual. However, it does
challenge the physical., attitudinal., communication and social environment to
accommodate impairment as an expected incident of human diversity. The social model
also seeks to change society in order to accommodate people living with impairment; it
does not seek to change persons with impairment to accommodate society. It supports the
view that people with disability have a right to be fully participating citizens on an equal
basis with others. People with disability are not “objects” of charity, medical treatment and
social protection but “subjects” with rights, capable of claiming those rights, able to make
decisions for their own lives based on their free and informed consent and be active
members of society (PWDA, 2018).

On the brighter side, the Normalization principle that also supports the main theory
means that you act right when you make available to all persons with intellectual or other
impairments or disabilities those patterns of life and conditions of everyday living that are
as close as possible to, or indeed the same as, the regular circumstances and ways of life of
their communities and their culture. The proper use of the Normalization principle rests on
an understanding of how the normal rhythms, routines, and patterns of life in any culture
relate to the development, maturity, and life of disabled persons (Flynn, R.J., & Lemay,
R,1999).

In addition, The Normalization principle applies to all persons with e.g. intellectual
disabilities, whatever the degree of their impairments and wherever they live. It is useful
in every society, for all age groups, and can be adapted to individual developments or social
changes. Thus, it should serve as a guide for medical., educational., psychological., social.,
legislative, and political work in these fields. Decisions and actions taken according to the
principle should turn out more often right than wrong. Normalization calls for providing
all the opportunities to all persons with disabilities which are available to a non-disabled
person in society (Kumar, 2013).

Serviceability of PWD’s

According to Pathways Pretoria (2019), persons with disabilities have an important

role to play to make a positive contribution in the workplace. It is generally found that a
person with a disability develops into a well-adjusted, productive worker in an atmosphere
of acceptance, co-operation and goodwill. It is often found that workers with disabilities
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are more productive than their co-workers and that they are less absent from work and
shows great loyalty towards their company. people with physical disabilities are successful
in many careers including teaching, social work, business management and many others.
Many visually, hearing and physically impaired persons excel in the field of computer
technology. Blind and partially sighted lawyers are now a reality due to computer
developments. Various blind physiotherapists have their own, very successful, practices in
this country. There are blind lecturers, music teachers and marketing consultants to name
but a few careers. Visually impaired persons can also do manual jobs such as making bricks
and tiles. Deaf and hard of hearing people are often successful in noisy jobs, such as panel
beating, which may have a negative effect on hearing people. Careers as different as
forestry, graphic art, medical technology and banking are also successfully pursued by
hearing impaired people (Pathways Pretoria, 2019).

Strengths of persons with disabilities

Someone has very wisely said, “Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but
to call out our courage and strength. “People with disabilities are usually the strongest,
most courageous and wonderful people. They are usually the strongest, most courageous
and wonderful people. We must not forget that some of the most successful people the
world has ever seen were physically disabled. People such as Helen Keller, Stephen
Hawking, Albert Einstein, etc. were all disabled. Usually people don’t have supportive and
encouraging attitude towards them. They treated them as if they were useless, they make
them feel as if they are unfortunate, helpless, and incapable people who cannot do anything
worthwhile and substantive in life. The truth is disabled people are not less than any normal
human being. They can accomplish anything and much more than the normal people. We
must treat disabled people respectfully considering them as able and capable as the normal
people. We must not let them feel as if they are being pitied. Treating them on par with
other normal people will be the best gift we can offer them. We must encourage and support
them in their endeavors to be successful. All they need and require from us is emotional
support and respect. Their struggles, challenges, obstacles they are capable of handling
(Thomson, 2018).

Similarly, commentator Frances Ryan recently counselled Guardian readers to be

careful to think through their reactions to disabled “superhuman” athletes and academic
poster boys like Professor Stephen Hawking. Treat people with disabilities just like
everyone else, is the argument. Don’t see us as special. If we have overcome anything, it’s
more relevant to highlight the barriers that a disabling world sets in our way, not our
medical problems. This line of argument was made famous by the late, great Stella Young,
an Australian writer and comedienne with disability. She objected to the way that disabled
children and adults were feted for very minor achievements – like coming to school or
making a painting. She didn’t like how the non-disabled world automatically responded
with pity and admiration for disabled people, often for simply existing. It was Young who
used the memorable phrase “inspiration porn” in connection with internet memes of
disabled people “overcoming” their disability, meant to inspire others. The message is: if
they can do it, despite their difficulties, then you should stop complaining about the trivial
obstacles you face. But disabled people should not have to encapsulate a corny life lesson.
We don’t exist to inspire other people. We are normal., we struggle on; sometimes
succeeding, sometimes failing. We can’t all be heroes (Shakespeare, 2016).

Hindrance is just another obstacle wanting to be passed, despite having a disability,

Nur Izzati Hazwani Abdul Hadi, 23, did not stop from obtaining excellent results
throughout her studies. Nur Izzati, who suffers from pre-mature growth of her limbs which
affect her ability to walk, finished her Degree of Literature and History with a Cumulative
Grade Point Average of 3.35. She said being physically weak is not a barrier for her to
succeed in her study. “Sometimes, I need to use the wheelchair, but that’s not an obstacle
for me to not go to class. “My parents were an inspiration to my success and have always
been my biggest supporter,” she said. She said lecturers and friends also lend a hand
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throughout her study in UKM. “They understood my condition and constantly supported
me either in lectures or in college,” she said. If given the opportunity, she plans to pursue
a master’s degree in Politics and International Relations (Sharina & Amir, 2019).

A netizen named Clairey Magas Ocampo posted a video on Facebook showing a

differently abled crew member from a well-known fast food chain in Guagua, Pampanga.
Despite having only one arm, he was extremely diligent and efficient in his work. The
video became viral and was admired by a lot of netizens. Moreover, what is beguiling is
the idea of a person with disability (PWD) working in a fast food chain, considering the
fact that working in such an environment is not easy. There are a lot of difficult tasks such
as cleaning tables every so often, putting out the trash, cleaning the floor, getting orders,
or even dealing with customers who may be demanding or outright rude. However, this
fellow has proven that there are no limits to the capabilities of a person as long as he has
determination. The well-known fast food chain received a lot of praise from social media
users as well for accepting people with disabilities (Featuresdesk, 2018).

To sum up the different experiences mentioned, many people who have a disability
don't let it prevent them from leading full and rich lives, indeed some are an inspiration to
both disabled and non-disabled people alike. It doesn’t mean that a person has a disability
can’t do things that a normal or complete people can do. Treating PWDs well makes them
feel complete even though they’re incomplete makes them feel wanted and useful in the
society. To treat them right means to look them equal to others no even though they’re
incomplete. Empower them to be more and give them hope, dream and confidence.

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the disabled peoples experiences
related to the job search process. The findings point to various strategies being used in
relation to disclosing disability or not, in applications and strategies about not wanting to
cause any problems, referred to as not making a fuss. This study also points to the disabled
being met with the same amount of work and held to the same standards and requirements
as their able- bodied peers. This will, among other things, lead to more openness about
disability, and eventually contribute to greater social changes, such as equalizing the
balance of power between employer and job seekers where increased knowledge of
adaptations and disability in general will give employers less concern or feelings of risk
when employing disabled people. Disabled people and their needs will also be more visible
and in this intersection where employers and disabled employees meet, dialogue as a tool
will help break down the barriers the disabled are faced with in the application process, and
possibly influence everyday work as well. a better understanding of the disabled person’s
experiences of the job search, along with perspectives from the employer, could contribute
to work towards a more inclusive society. This will involve an important factor examined
in the study, namely honesty and openness about disability to facilitate dialogue. This study
is considered a small study with a small sample. Only one employer was included in the
study as opposed to quantitative research qualitative research is focused on giving in depth
knowledge and cannot generalize but it does not mean others cannot learn from what
emerged in this study. The contributions from this study are meant to complement the
whole body of disability studies.

Methodology

This chapter describes and discusses how the researchers will gather the necessary data
and information that will be use in the entire study. It describes who will be the respondents
and focus of the research. This also shows the procedure of the data collection, research
design and instruments used; these sections also discuss the type of research, research
method, and research setting where the study will be conducted. Additionally, it is
important in Qualitative research to report the researchers’ reflexivity. The methodology
section, therefore, needs to be thoroughly presented and justified.
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Research Design

The research design provides the glue that holds the research project together. A
research design is used to structure the research, to show how all of the major parts of the
research project work together to try to address the central research questions and
information (Trochim, 2005). Research design carries an important influence on the
reliability of the results attained. It therefore provides a solid base for the whole research
and guides the research in the right direction (Sharma, 2016).

In this study, the research design used was qualitative which focused about the
understanding of underlying reasons, and opinions. Qualitative Research is primarily
exploratory research (De Franzo, 2011). Qualitative research aims to get a better
understanding through firsthand experience, truthful reporting, and quotations of actual
conversations (Saint-German, 2001). Additionally, qualitative plays an important role in
product development which provides valuable data for use in the design of a product—
including data about user needs, behavior patterns, and use cases (Madrigal & McClain,
2012).

In this qualitative research, researchers specifically used narrative study which focused
on the process of gathering information for the purpose of research through storytelling. It
is a term that subsumes a group of approaches that in turn rely on the written or spoken
words or visual representation of individuals. These approaches typically focus on the lives
of individuals as told through their own stories. It is important because it focuses on the
construction of life stories based on data collected and it is concerned with the chronology
of the participants’ experiences (Atlasti, 2019).

Furthermore, the research design used was qualitative that connects to the topic about
the experiences of people with disabilities in their workplace. A qualitative design is more
appropriate when the focus is more in-depth understanding of social phenomena within a
natural setting and relies on the direct experiences of human beings as meaning-making
agents in their everyday lives, under study such as experiences of an employed person with
disability (Spalding University Library, 2019).

Research Setting

The research setting refers to the place where the data were collected. In this study,
data were gathered at The Helping Hands in SM City Consolacion. The said establishment
has a spacious place which was located in a well-known mall in the municipality of
Consolacion. The Helping Hands is a PWD friendly establishment that gives person’s with
disability a chance to have a job. They specifically hire visually-impaired people to become
masseurs and masseuses.

Moreover, this study aims to understand the experiences of persons with disabilities,
The Helping Hands has a majority of disabled employees who has been working as a
masseur and masseuse. They were trained under the DSWD’s area vocational rehabilitation
center, an institution that provides rehabilitation programs and services to persons with
disabilities and other special groups to acquire skills and eventually find decent
employment and other income generating activities. In conclusion, The Helping Hands an
ideal place to find the possible participant that was considered as an employed person with
disability with work experience.

Research Participants

The selection of participant in this study was based on purposive sampling. In

purposive sampling, the items are selected in such manner that each of them is rich
in information about the parameters that we are trying to study in the population (Devkota,
2015). Opportunities of purposeful sampling were the possible inclusion of new
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perspectives to the line-of-argument and the enhancement of the theoretical diversity of the
papers being included, which could make the results more conceptually aligned with the
synthesis purpose (Benoot, Hannes, & Bilsen, 2016). Purposeful sampling is
widely used in qualitative research for the identification and selection of information-rich
cases related to the phenomenon of interest (Palinkas et al., 2015).

In this narrative study, the researchers’ participant was a 44-year-old employed man
with a disability and coping with his struggles in the workplace. He was born visually-
impaired and never got the chance to have proper education during his youth. He has been
working as a masseur for more than 14 years and just recently been employed in The
Helping Hands. The researchers found him fit as a participant in this study because he
qualifies as a person with disability and he is an employee of a company that financially
supports him.

To ensure the trustworthiness of the data, the researchers used the triangulation method
with the help of the two key informants. Triangulation means using more than one method
to collect data on the same topic and it is a way of assuring the validity of the research
which involves different types of samples as well as methods of data collection (Kulkarni,
2014). Triangulation has a significant role in research methodology to prove the research
as an important, viable, and widely accepted. It brings validity, increased methodological
reliability and the rate of certainty in the research findings (Karim, 2007).

In this study, the key informants were the participant’s manager and close friend. The
two key informants in this study have witnessed the participant’s work experience in The
Helping Hands. They confirmed that the participant’s statements were true and authentic.
The key informants were also workers of the Helping Hands, and they had been working
with the participant since his first day in the said establishment.

Research Instruments

In qualitative research and qualitative studies, the main tools were the interview
questionnaire, audio tape, and field notes. The researcher observed, takes notes and talked
to the participant and key informants. Interviews were primarily done in qualitative
research and occur when researchers ask one or more participants general. Open-ended
questions and record their answers. Often audiotapes are utilized to allow for more
consistent transcription (ADJP Quad, 2016). The researchers often transcribed and types
the data in order to analyze it after interviewing.

The first instrument that the researchers used was used interview questionnaire.
Questionnaires are data set of questions that are given to people in order to collect fact or
opinions about something. Questionnaires have many uses, most notably to discover
evaluations, opinion polls and social science research (ADJP Quad, 2016). As far as data
collection tools were concerned, the conduction of the research involved the use of semi-
structured questionnaire, which was used as an interview guide for the research. Some
certain questions were prepared, so as for the researcher to guide the interview towards the
satisfaction of research objectives, but additional questions were made encountered during
the interviews.

The second instrument that the researchers used was audio tapes or recording devices.
Audio Recording was used as a strong evidence that showcased the validity of the
interviewed PWD. It was also helpful to the researchers if the researchers require review
on the answers of the PWD. According to Abigail Stiles, with the prevalence of mobile
phones and the audio capabilities that they have, as an employer you may wonder whether
a covert recording of a meeting, made by an employee, could potentially be used against
you as evidence in an Employment Tribunal (Stiles, 2019).
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Lastly, field notes were used. This refers to notes created by the researcher during the
act of qualitative fieldwork to remember and record the behaviors, activities, events, and
other features of an observation. Field notes are intended to be read by the researcher as
evidence to produce meaning and an understanding of the culture, social situation, or
phenomenon being studied.

These tools fit the researchers’ study because this study was more on field work.
Moreover, the researcher reached out to the employed PWD working in their respective
work stations. Since the employed PWD has small amount of time for the interview, the
researchers used these tools to aid the disadvantage of availability and also for the review
of the answers on the question the researchers asked to the employed PWD. Lastly, this
will benefit both the interviewer (the researchers) and the interviewee (the employed
PWD).

Data Collection

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables

of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research
questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. The data collection component of
research is common to all fields of study including physical and social sciences,
humanities, business, etc. (The Office of Research Integrity, 2019).

In this part of the study, the researchers aim to achieve the main goal of the study
which is to understand the experiences of employed people with disabilities in their
workplace. This study made used of in-depth interviews, audio recording, and field notes
to gather significant information for this research. The meeting of the participant and key
informants took place at The Helping Hands, which is located in SM Consolacion. Before
the in-depth interview started, the participant and two key informants were briefed on the
purpose of the study and were given a chance to finally decide whether to participate or
not in the study with their written consent. Proceeding to the conduct of the activity, they
were invited to the in-depth interview which they were interviewed face to face using
interview questionnaire to better gain trustworthiness of results in this research. The
researchers also asked permission from them to audio tape their responses during the
interview. Hence an audio recorder was further utilized to showcase the validity during the
in-depth interview. The meeting lasted for about one hour in order to effect utmost comfort
and high response objectivity among the participant and key informants.

After the data collection was done, the audio was carefully transcribed by the
researchers. Field notes were used to remember and record the behaviors, activities, events,
and other features of an observation that produced significant information from the
participant. The researchers had to narrow down the amount of data to ensure the validity
of this study. In order to avoid errors on the data transcription and to ensure the accuracy
of the ideas, the researchers followed a member checking process. From the collected data,
further analysis was done to extract profound meanings from the participant and to proceed
additional conclusions in this study.

Data Analysis

Data analysis in qualitative research is defined as the process of systematically

searching and arranging the interview transcripts, observation notes, or other non-textual
materials that the researcher accumulates to increase the understanding of the phenomenon
(Wong, 2008). For any research, data analysis is very important as it provides an
explanation of various concepts, theories, frameworks and methods used (Kalpesh, 2013).

In this study, thematic analysis was utilized by the researchers. Thematic analysis is a
flexible data analysis plan that qualitative researchers use to generate themes from
interview data (Braun & Clarke, 2013). The method enables the researchers to develop a
 11

deeper appreciation for the group or situation they are researching. By using thematic
analysis as well, researchers can determine broad patterns that will allow them to conduct
more granular research and analysis (Komori, n.d.). This type of analysis has been the
researchers guide in interpreting, coding and theme reviewing of the data gathered.

The first phase in thematic analysis is transcription. Transcription is an integral process

in the qualitative analysis of language data (Lapadat & Lindsay, 1999). It has helped
interviewers by enabling them to read, analyse and interpret information with ease, with
text that is precise and concise as well as easily understandable (Tiwari, Kesipeddi, &
Jagda, 2018). In this phase, the researchers go through all the data gathered from the entire
interview and started taking notes, reading, and understanding the significant information
gathered from the participant and key informants. Furthermore, this was when the
researchers started marking preliminary ideas for codes that described the content of the
study.

After the researchers were done with transcription, the second phase used was coding
of the data. Coding is an explicit and iterative process in which the researcher will alter and
modify the analysis as reflected by the data and as ideas emerge (Komori, n.d.). In
qualitative research coding is how you define what the data you are analyzing are about
(CESSDA Training Working Group, 2018). Coding is an essential part of qualitative data
analysis that ultimately determines the themes that will be generated. The logic uses to
code the data must be something that carries over once you have finished the coding and
begin to categorize the data, or search for the relationships between the codes (Statistics
solution, 2017).

In coding, researchers interpreted every written data they have transcribed, find
meaning, and used to organized data into meaningful groups from the data collected during
the interviews. Afterwards, the interpreted data was labeled based on their meaning that
generated concepts and ideas in this study. The codes of the study were reflected into
themes that made idea more significant.

In connection, researchers categorized all the constructed codes. In categorizing, the

researchers grouped the codes bearing the same meaning or interpretation and forming it
into themes which is the third phase of thematic analysis. According to the University of
Huddersfield (2019), themes are features of participants’ accounts characterizing particular
perceptions and/or experiences that the researcher sees as relevant to the research question.
It is important to recognize that themes in qualitative research are not hiding in the data,
waiting to be ‘discovered’ by the researcher. Rather, they arise from the engagement of a
particular researcher with the text, as he or she attempts to address a particular research
question. As such, they are pragmatic tools to help the researcher produce their account of
the data.

According to Bragina (2018) when choosing the most appropriate theme, consider
these five simple things: (a) aim at simplicity, (b) give priority to responsiveness, (c) direct
attention to browser compatibility, (d) consider plugins you are using, (e) make sure you
get good support conclusion.

Furthermore, the researchers made sure that there was no gap in generating and
analyzing the data collected during the interviews. The data collected from the participant
and key informants were all accurate and kept confidential. To ensure the objectivity of
this study, the researchers made sure that the data and ideas generated were thoroughly and
carefully read and understood by the researchers. The researchers also focused on every
data gathered and gave an in-depth knowledge to make the analysis of data not biased and
objective.
 12

Ethical Consideration

Because of the sensitivity of the topic, the interviews were conducted in an office
that provided ample privacy while at the same time providing the participant with a
comfortable environment that placed the interviewer and participant at a table with chairs
that were alike and in a room that offered little to no distractions. The data collected by
researchers from the PWD employee have ensured to keep the data of the participants
protected and confidential. In connection to this study the participants were rest assured
that their identities will not be leaked for discrimination and forgery purposes. It is said
that when necessary, in some parts of the research proper acknowledgement shall be
accredited.

Researcher’s Reflexivity

To ensure objectivity and validity of this study, the researchers found the description
of narratives from the participant to be understandable and accurate. In order to improve
the objectivity and validity of the results the researchers used data collection, analysis and
triangulation in maintaining the objectivity of the research. The researchers ensure that all
the information given was based on the facts and not on opinions. From the collected data,
further analysis was done to extract profound meanings from the participant and to proceed
additional conclusions in this study; the researchers followed it with a member checking
process. The researchers imply positioning approach education not to speak for themselves
for a constant awareness of reflection.

Results and Discussions

This section presents the results of the study in the form of themes extracted from the
lived experiences of a visually impaired employee. The qualitative study involved a 44-
year-old employed PWD that worked as a masseur and met the criterion for the selection
of being a research participant. The researchers also used the triangulation method which
they asked for the observation of the research participant’s close friend and manager. In
this study, the participant is resided in Labangon, Cebu and currently living on his own.

This study emerges the four main themes pertaining to the experiences of a visually
impaired person. These themes are: (1) strengths and serviceability of a PWD in workplace,
(2) the working environment of a PWD (3) issues and problems faced by an employed
PWD. The themes are based on the interview transcripts reviewed for this present study.

Strengths and Serviceability of a PWD in Workplace

This theme discusses the characteristics that the participant accorded and being
observed by the researchers. In this study, the participant was asked about their personal
and in-depth experiences in the workplace. The participant and key informants aptly
described what and how they felt and what they experienced in their workplace.
Perseverance is a quality that keeps the participant going even through the hardships he
goes through.

Participant, supported by key informants state that:

“Aw di man babag nako man, okay raman…oo bsta pursigido raka.”(It’s not an
obstacle at least for me, as long as you are determined.)

“Kami wala jud mi kasuway lain trabaho sauna kay lisod man sad among kahimtang
ato. Sa akong nakita sauna… oo lisod jud ang giagian niya permiro…kuan wala nagdugay
naka-uyon man siya sa trabaho kay sayun raman.”(We never really tried other jobs because
of our situation before. In the beginning, it was really difficult but as time passes by, he
slowly adapted to his job.)
 13

This statement given by the participant shows the participant’s perseverance for his
job. Though the participant has many challenges to go through in his everyday life, he
chose to go on. The researchers can say that his perseverance is one of the qualities that
really gets him through life. In connection, the next quality of the participant is his
contentment with what he has. Contentment is a state of being happy and satisfied with a
certain level of achievement and not wishing for more.

Key informants stated that:

“Kuan sakto ra man niya iyang sweldo kay makapalit man syas iyahang kinahanglon.”
(His salary is enough for him because he was able to buy his needs.)

“Sakto rapud sa iyaha ang iyang sweldo… di man hinuon sya tantong dako but I know
makatabang jud.” (His salary is enough for him… it is not such a big amount but I know
that it can help.)

This statement given by the key informant shows the research participant is contented
with what he has. He does not demand for more because it is enough to provide his needs.
Based on the statements of the participant and the key informants the researchers noticed
that the participant is satisfied and living happily with his salary and benefits. Lastly, the
researchers observed the participant’s dedication towards his job. Dedication is a feeling
of very strong support for or loyalty to someone or something.

The participant supported by the key informants stated that:

“Wa man, kay kung di ka motrabaho, laay ra man pud kaayo, maboring raman. Wamay
mo provide nako.” (It can get lonely and sometimes boring if I don’t work, I also cannot
rely on others to provide my necessities)

“I can see how dedicated he is on his job. Bilib jud ko ana niya.” (I can see how
dedicated he is on his job. I really look up to him for that.)

This statement given by the participant and key informant shows the participant’s
dedication. It shows that he really has a passion in being a masseur and works with
excellence. He knows that his job has a really big impact on his life so he makes sure that
he can maintain it.

The statements given by the participant and key informants shows the different
qualities that helped him keep his job. These qualities are the reason why he still has a
source of income that gives him enough to survive. The researchers can say that he is an
indefatigable worker who gives his best to provide his services to his customers. According
to Pathways Pretoria (2019), it is generally found that a person with a disability develops
into a well-adjusted, productive worker in an atmosphere of acceptance, co-operation and
goodwill. It is often found that workers with disabilities are more productive than their co-
workers and that they are less absent from work and shows great loyalty towards their
company.

Working Environment of a PWD

Lastly, this section gives light to the actual workplace of the participant. The
researchers asked the participant about his working experience with his co-workers and
customers. This theme discusses mainly about his built relationships and the environment
that the participant is in of the participant in his workplace.

Participant, supported by key informants state that:

 14

“Oo… mga suod man nako sila kay pareha ra mi tanan ug kahimtang… mga mayo
man pud sila nga mga taw… mura man nako silag pamilya.” (We are all close since we
share things in common… they are very good people… they are just like my family.)

“Magkasinabot raman jud mi tanan…sa adlaw-adlaw namo nga kuyog kay nagkasuod
mi.” (We all understand each other… we really got close because we see each other every
day)
“Mura najud silag family, they treat each other as brothers and sisters.” (They are like
a family, they treat each other as brothers and sisters.)

This statement given by the participant and key informants show the participant’s good
relationships with his co-workers. With all the time he spent in his job with his co-workers,
he has clearly built stable relationships with them. Acceptance is one of the factors that
help build his relationships with his colleagues. Acceptance is the willingness to tolerate a
difficult or unpleasant situation.

Th participant stated:

“Wala man ko kasuway nila og discrimination, wala man kay akong mga kauban mga
maayo man, magkasinabot man mi.”(I did not try getting discriminated by them, my
colleagues are good people, we understand each other.)

The participant’s statement shows that his workplace is emotionally safe for him. He
is accepted by his colleagues for who he is and does not get discriminated. Furthermore,
they are all treated equally in the workplace may they be disabled or non-disabled. Equality
is a state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.

On of the key informant stated that:

“Wala jud nahitabo nga naay maglabaw nila.” (There was never a time that one of
them was treated better than another employee.)

This statement shows that in the participant’s workplace, they are all treated equally.
None of them are treated better or worse than the other even if they are disabled or not.
However, the participant has not only built good company with his co-workers but also
with his customers. The participant makes sure that he does not cross a line with his
customers and shows professionalism in the workplace. Professionalism is the conduct,
aims, or qualities that characterize a professional person.

The participant stated:

“Ang mga customers, waman pud kaluoy sa Ginoo, magpamasahe raman. Aw

magpamasahe nya wala na mana. Magpamasahe ra na sila, di na sila ingnong… mo-
discriminate kay nianhi na sila para magpamasahe.”(The customers only go here for a
massage and then go. They don’t discriminate since they only go here for the massage.)

This statement given by the participant show the participant’s professionalism in

his workplace. He makes sure that he does his job well with the customers and does it
purely to serve them. This statement also shows that the customers he has does not
discriminate him, making his environment safer for him.

The responses of the participant and the key informants shows that the condition of the
workplace of the employed PWD is safe for them. Their environment is a safe space for
them to work without fear of being discriminated and harmed. The participant has built
relationships in the workplace from his co-workers and even customers.
 15

Issues and Problems Faced by an Employed PWD

In this section, the theme discusses about the different struggles and issues that the
participant had to face. The participant was asked about personal experiences that
challenged him in his life as an employee. His responses towards the questions about his
different issues were supported and backed up by the two key informants. The first struggle
that he faced was his family issues. Family issues are conflicts that surround family life.

Participant, supported by key informants state that:

“Trabaho didto para mabuhi kag imoha, di ka magsalig, di ka madaog-daog sa imong

mga iyaan... Aw di man nuon sila salbahis, pero kanang mag…himoon ta nilag boy- boy
ba. Mura tag ulipon ba…”(Work for yourself so you don’t have to depend on your relatives.
They are not cruel, but they order me around like a slave.)

“Oo lisod mi sauna, kami… kay akong mga iyaan man mura rakog… sulogoon mura
ramig suguon. Wala may trabaho akong ginikanan… salig ras ilang mga bana. Daog-
daogon kos akong mga iyaan, himoon tag boy-boy ba, mura tag ulipon nila.”(Before, I had
a hard life because my relatives just order me around to do things. My parents didn’t have
a job… they depended on their husbands. My relatives teased me and treated me as if were
their slave.)

This statement shows that he really did not have such a good relationship with his
relatives. During the interview, the participant said that he was treated lower than his other
non-disabled relatives. Hence, he went to get a job so that he would not have to depend on
his relatives anymore. Aside from having family issues, the participant mentioned that he
had problems with transportation. His travel from home to work and vice versa take a long
time considering how far he lives.

One of the key informants said:

“Aww I think the only struggle niya kay iyang travel to get in here kay dili man
easy for a visually-impaired man nga magtravel og mga layo.” (I think the only struggle he
has is his transportation to get in here because it is not easy for a visually-impaired man
to travel long distances.)

This statement shows that transportation is one of his struggles right now. The
distance between his workplace and his home is really far so that could really be a challenge
for him. Lastly, the participant mentioned his struggles in life especially one that affected
him the most. Struggles in life are one of the factors specifically the harships that shape an
individual.

One of the key informants said:

For me, sa mga naagian niya kay the most tragic kay katong nawala iyang parents
kay of course siya nalang usa then wala nay moatiman niya kay knowing nga usa sa ka
PWD so dako syag struggle to live alone. (For me, the most tragic experience the he
experienced is when he lost his parents because of course he is the only one who will
provide his own necessities and knowing that he is a PWD, it is really hard to live alone.)

This statement shows one of the participant’s experience that had a big impact on
him. Losing the people that should give him a good foundation as a child affected him.
Growing up with other relatives instead of his own parents was not of much help since he
was treated poorly by them.

The statements given by the research participant and key informants showed the
different obstacles that the participant went through. In connection to the statements given
 16

by the participant, having a disability and negative family attitudes were reported as
barriers for people with disabilities participating in work, community meetings, religious
activities, and social activities (Marella et al., 2016). Disabled people experience various
barriers due to restriction of participation and their lives are affected with poor health
outcomes, low education, lack of social and economic participation, higher rates of poverty
and increased dependency (Kuvalekar et al., 2015).

Conclusion

Based on the findings and generalization of the study, the generalization hereby arrives
that having a disability has a big impact in a person’s life. For people with disabilities, it is
more difficult to find for a decent job that will be able to provide their necessities.
Compared to non-disabled persons have more opportunities in the working field, people
with a disability have to double their effort to attain a certain job position. Fortunately, the
participant in this study landed on a job that is enough to supply his needs. In the
participant’s work field, they are all treated equally. None of them are treated better or
worse than the other even if they are disabled or not because they consider everyone as a
family. However, the participant has not only built good company with his co-workers but
also with his customers. This shows and proves that the condition of the workplace of the
employed PWD is safe for them. Their environment is a safe space for them to work
without fear of being discriminated and harmed. The participant has built relationships in
the workplace from his co-workers and even with customers.

The experiences of the participant with disability in the working field might be
challenging in some aspect, brought by their struggles and issues that they had to face but
there is a positive side despite all of these difficulties. To become an employed PWD one
must have a lot of determination and drive so that they will be able to keep their jobs. This
implies that behind these experiences, it has shaped the participant to become a better
version of himself. To sum up, it changed the researcher’s views, perceptions, and outlooks
among persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

This research becomes a reality with the kind support and help of many individuals.
The researchers would like to extend their sincere and profound gratitude to all persons
who in one way or another have contributed efforts and support.

First and foremost, the researchers want to offer this endeavor to our God Almighty
for the spiritual enlightenment, the wisdom and protection which helped a great deal; for
lighting up the lamp of hope, encouragement, ang patience to the success of this paper. For
all the graces our prayers of thanks.

To Ms. Mary Nerissa Castro, our research teacher and all other teachers who have
shared intellectual support, assistance, suggestions, and recommendations that contributed
in this endeavor. To our parents and families, for giving us the guidance, support, and
opportunity, you all had made a big part of this journey, our sincere thanks.

Likewise, to our dearest participant and key informants, for giving us the data and
information, cooperating, and sharing their lives with us, our sincere thanks and
appreciation.

Finally, to the researchers, who worked hard for this paper to become a reality, for
not giving up, and for the sleepless nights, whatever has been accomplished and whatever
has been the product, there is a great source of efforts, striving and blessings, without whom
this task would have been impossible.
 17

Chrisitne Joyce M. Caasi

Lead Researcher, Senior High School Department
University of Cebu-Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
[email protected]

Quienna Richelle E. Abella

Research Associate, Senior High School Department
University of Cebu-Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
[email protected]

Shannon Christine A. Suzara

Research Associate, Senior High School Department
University of Cebu-Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
[email protected]

Erick T. Lagaran
Research Associate, Senior High School Department
University of Cebu-Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
[email protected]

Ralph Anjelo Olorvida

Research Associate, Senior High School Department
University of Cebu-Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
[email protected]
 18

APPENDIX B

RESEARCH INTERVIEW CONSENT FORM

Research Title:

Researchers’ Name and Contact Information:

Christine Joyce M. Caasi 0999 796 5426

Quienna Richelle E. Abella 0926 082 1932
Shannon Christine A. Suzara 0905 115 1340
Ralph Anjelo Olorvida 0907 075 7036
Erick T. Lagaran 0966 301 0360

Please put a tick on the box.

I confirm that I have read and understand the information sheet for the above
study and have had the opportunity to ask questions and clarifications on
the matter of the interview/anything that concerns me.

I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to

withdraw at any time, without giving reason.

I agree to take part in the above study and share everything I know to
contribute to the success of the said research.

Please put a tick on the box.

YES NO
I agree to the interview/focus group/consultation being audio recorded.

I agree to the interview/focus group/consultation being video recorded.

I agree to the use of anonymized quotes in publications.

_______________________________ _____________ ________________

Name of Research Participant Date Signature
 19

APPENDIX C

INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

Name of interviewee: ___________________________

Date of interview: _________________
Gender: _____ Male _____ Female
Age: _____
Occupation/Profession: __________________________

Purpose of the study:

The aim of this narrative study is to understand the experiences of employed PWD’s
in their workplace. Specifically, this study aims to answer the following sub-problems:

Interview Questions

1. How does their disabilities influence their employment opportunities?

a. Do you think having a disability is giving you a difficult time from getting hired?
Why or why not?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

b. How would you compare your working experience from a non-disabled

employee?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

c. Are the offered job opportunities enough to sustain and provide your
necessities? If yes, how? If no, why?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

d. Does having a disability stop you from getting into a preferred position in a
certain job? Why or why not?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

e. Are you given special privileges to get employed as a PWD? If yes, please
name all. If no, what privileges do you think should be given to you?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. How does their workplace treat them?

a. Do you feel safe in your workplace? If yes, how? If no, how?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

b. Have you ever been discriminated in your workplace? If yes, in what way?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

c. Are you treated equally with your co-workers? If no, how?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
 20

d. How does your co-workers treat you?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

e. How do you get treated by your customers?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. What are the different challenges you have face in order to keep your job?

a. Have you experienced any struggles in your job? Please name any.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

b. Among your different struggles, what do you think brings you down the most?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

c. Do your struggles encourage you or discourage you? Please explain your

answer.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

d. Have you ever thought of quitting your job because of your struggle? If yes,
why? If no, why not?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

e. Why did you choose to stay in your job, despite of the challenges?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

f. How does the different challenges shape you as an individual?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
 21

Appendix D

Transcription of the Coded Data

Researcher Participant’s Interview Questionnaire

Specific Sub-problems:

1. How does their disabilities influence their employment opportunities?

a. Do you think having a disability is giving you a difficult time from getting hired?
Why or why not?
 Sayun ra… aw lisod jud permiro, oo nagsugod jud kos uno. Kuan social worker
namos Naga. Oo girecuit mi. Naa mi allowance pag training. Aw di man babag
nako man, okay raman…oo bsta pursigido raka. Commented [u1]: Perseverance
 Kaming Jacinto… dugay na jud mi suod ana. Sugod pa lang sauna kuyog nami
ana sa PWD. Kami wala jud mi kasuway lain trabaho sauna kay lisod man sad
among kahimtang ato. Sa akong nakita sauna… oo lisod jud ang giagian niya
permiro…kuan wala nagdugay naka-uyon man siya sa trabaho kay sayun
raman.
 Uhmm… mostly jud sa mga PWDs ron kay naglisod man jud og pangitag job
like kang Jacinto… nagakataas naman ron ang standards sa mga establishments
and companies so usahay rajud makapasar ang PWDs.

b. How would you compare your working experience from a non-disabled

employee?
 Aww sayun ra… aw lisod jud permiro, oo nagsugod jud kos uno kinahanglan
man nako mo adjust. Aw di man babag nako man, okay raman…oo basta
pursigido raka.
 Aw naa jud syay kalahian… kay kuan ako usa ka PWD sad… maka-ingon pud
ko nga daghan jud opportunities para sa kuan dili disabled… unya kay naa apil
man mis PWD… pareha namo ni Jacinto… pero intawn kaluoy sa Ginoo…
kuan naay gihatag ang gobyerno nga trabaho para namo.
 Bahin sa mga non-disabled na employee and applicants… of course mas
capable sila then mas dali sila makakuhag trabaho… unlike niya kay naka share
pud sya nako nga nagkalisod jud sya kay if wala sya naka apil sa training of
becoming a masseur kay basin wala syay trabaho ron and big disadvantage
pajud niya kay sadly …wala jud siya naka skwela because di nila afford.

c. Are the offered job opportunities enough to sustain and provide your necessities?
If yes, how? If no, why?
 Oo okay raman…wala rasad ni kuan sakong hunahuna nga magkapamilya.
 Sa akong nakita… ug sa pag-uban-uban namo ni Jacinto…kuan sakto ra man
niya iyang sweldo kay makapalit man syas iyahang kinahanglon… kuan iyang Commented [fa2]: Contentment
pagkaon pang- adlaw-adlaw.
 So far, he’s doing well man pud… I can see nga sakto rapud sa iyaha ang iyang
sweldo… di man hinuon sya tantong dako but I know makatabang jud sya para
kang Jacinto.

d. Does having a disability stop you from getting into a preferred position in a
certain job? Why or why not?
 Wa man, kay kung di ka motrabaho, laay ra man pud kaayo, maboring raman.
Wamay mo provide nako. Commented [fa3]: Dedication
 Aw kuan wala man kay naa man syay trabaho karon unya sakto ra iyang sweldo
paras iyahang kaugalingon, maayo man sad iyang kahimtang … ug naa syay
maayong panglawas nalipay rapud kos iyang kahimtang bisag sya usa.
 22

 Wala man sad hinuon kay I can see how dedicated he is on his job. Bilib jud
ko ana niya. Commented [u4]: Dedication

e. Are you given special privileges to get employed as a PWD? If yes, please name
all. If no, what privileges do you think should be given to you?
 Oo naa pa man… SSS og kanang financial assistance sa PWD…Aw naay
usahay ug naay mohatag… makadawat man kog tip gikan sa customers.
 Aw naa man pud bisag ingon nga masahista ra mi… kay ang gobyerno naay
gihatag nga financial assistance para sa PWD… pareha namo ni Jacinto.
 Sa akong nahibaw-an apil si Jacinto sa mga beneficiaries sa financial assistance
sa PDWs and naa pud syay SSS og PhilHealth.

2. How does their workplace treat them?

a. Do you feel safe in your workplace? If yes, how? If no, how?
 Aw hinuon kanang pag biyahe-biyahe murag lisod pero… ay pagkadugayan
naanad naman, kaya raman. Mobiyahe mi… pero di ko kakwenta pila ka oras
kay ug mag..kay kasagaran mag motor man ko padulong diri… motor, dali
raman. Kung traffic kay dugay dugay jud… mga one -hour kapin.
 Para sa akoa, kay lisod jud para sa usa ka PWD nga magbiyahe- biyahe… kay
kuan ang disgrasya naa ra bya na pirmi…
 I can assure that my employees are safe jud kay naa man ang among
establishment sa sulod sa mall then daghan og guards… one thing that bothers
me kay kanang pag biyahe niya kay… usa sya sa mga employee nako nga layo
og puy-anan and then sya ra pajud usa mag travel so it’s obviously not safe…
pero thank God sa kadugay niya nagtrabaho diri wala man pud sya na unsa.

b. Have you ever been discriminated in your workplace? If yes, in what way?
 Oo kasuway nako ana sakong mga parente. Pero pag sa trabaho kay wala na,
wala na.
 Sa akong nahibal-an… kay wala mana nahitabo didto sa trabahoan dae… wala
man pud syay gi-share nako nga nakasulay syag discrimination… mga maayo
man sad ang mga taw adtos trabahoan ug buotan ra pud ang mga customers.
 Wala man pud.

c. Are you treated equally with your co-workers? If no, how?

 Oo… mga suod man nako sila kay pareha ra mi tanan ug kahimtang… mga
mayo man pud sila nga mga taw… mura man nako silag pamilya.
 Kami tanan sa The Helping Hands… kay kuan magkasinabot raman jud mi
tanan…sa adlaw-adlaw namo nga kuyog kay nagkasuod mi. Commented [fa5]: Good relationship with co-workers
 Yes, they are kay everyone deserves it man pud…wala jud nahitabo nga naay
maglabaw nila. Commented [fa6]: Equality

d. How does your co-workers treat you?

 Wala man ko kasuway nila og discrimination, wala man kay akong mga kauban
mga maayo man, magkasinabot man mi. Commented [fa7]: Acceptance
 Kami tanan sa The Helping Hands… kay kuan magkasinabot raman jud mi
tanan…sa adlaw-adlaw namo nga kuyog kay nagkasuod mi.
 I can say nga sa pila ka years nag uban sakong mga employee kay mura najud
silag family, they treat each other as brothers and sisters.

e. How do you get treated by your customers?

 Ang mga customers, waman pud kaluoy sa Ginoo, magpamasahe raman. Aw
magpamasahe nya wala na mana. Magpamasahe ra na sila, di na sila ingnong…
mo-discriminate kay nianhi na sila para magpamasahe. Human mig masahe
nila aw wa na. Aw makadawat man kog tip, aw naa man hinuon. Commented [fa8]: Professionalism in Workplace
 23

 Kasagaran sa among nasulayan nga mga customers kay mga buotan man
hinuon… kuan wala pud ko kasulay nga nay nahitabo nga bati kang Jacinto
bahin ana… maayo lang pud nindot ang kahimtang sa mga trabahante didto.
 Oo ang establishment namo kay pwd-friendly jud.

3. What are the different challenges you have face in order to keep your job?
a. Have you experienced any struggles in your job? Please name any.
 Kuan, gi challenge kos akong social worker nga moanhi. Trabaho didto para
mabuhi kag imoha, di ka magsalig, di ka madaog-daog sa imong mga iyaan.
Mao na. Aw di man nuon sila salbahis, pero kanang mag…himoon ta nilag
boy- boy ba. Mura tag ulipon ba… Commented [fa9]: Family issues
 Aw sa mga naagian ni Jacinto sa iyahang kinabuhi… nabati jud nako iyang
kakakugi bisan ingon nga usa siya ka PWD… dili tanan butang iyang madali-
dali og buhat maong lisod jud ang pagpangita og trabaho kay nasulayan sad ko
na.
 Aww I think the only struggle niya kay iyang travel to get in here kay dili man
easy for a visually-impaired man nga magtravel og mga layo. Commented [u10]: Transportation Problem for PWDs

b. Among your different struggles, what do you think brings you down the most?
 Oo lisod mi sauna, kami… kay akong mga iyaan man mura rakog… sulogoon
mura ramig suguon. Wala may trabaho akong ginikanan… salig ras ilang mga
bana. Daog-daogon kos akong mga iyaan, himoon tag boy-boy ba, mura tag
ulipon nila. Commented [u11]: Struggles in life
 Aw sa kadugay sad namo nga kaila ni Jacinto daghan pud syag mga naagian…
kana sya nakasuway pud na sya nga gi daog-daog syas iyahang mga iyaan pero
maynalang sad karon kay wala na… aw di man jud na mawala ang kasakit sa
kinabuhi sa usa ka tawo…bisag unsaon man pud dili pud tanan taw maayo
nimo.
 For me, sa mga naagian niya kay the most tragic kay katong nawala iyang
parents kay ofc sya nalang usa then wala nay moatiman niya kay knowing nga
usa sa ka PWD so dako syag struggle to live alone.

c. Do your struggles encourage you or discourage you? Please explain your answer.
 Dili man babag ang mga kuan…maniguwang jud ko diri aw mga ingana jud.
Anhi najud ko magkatiguwang ani… Aw makakita man ko gamay sa pag
biyahe nako.
 Aww di mana wala jud kay ichallenge man jud ta tanan sa Ginoo…bisag unsa
paman kapait ang naagian sa akong suod ng amigo… aw di na makababag aron
molambo ta.
 Kabaw man ko nga bisag inganay naagian niya kay wala man sya na discourage
kay as of now kay even though he lived by himself kay naa man syay work
then happy syas work niya.

d. Have you ever thought of quitting your job because of your struggle? If yes,
why? If no, why not?
 Wala man pud kay makaya raman nako…para man pud nis akong kaayohan
maong motrabaho jud ko kay ako nalang bya usa, wala man pud koy akoang
pamilya..
 Wala man hinuon syay gistorya bahin ana… ganahan man pud syas iyang
trabaho.
 Kabaw man ko nga bisag inganay naagian niya kay wala man sya na discourage
kay as of now kay even though he lived by himself kay naa man syay work
then happy syas work niya.

e. Why did you choose to stay in your job, despite of the challenges?
 24

 Aw kaluoy sa Ginoo kay ganahan man ko ani akong trabaho, wala

man…nalipay ra pud kos akong trabaho.. Gawas na kung kapoy…kapit lang
jud bsag kapoy kayanon raman. Okay raman ang sweldo, kauyon man ko.
 Bahin ana kay… naay usahay makapoy jud siya ana nga trabaho pero sa nabati
kay nauyonan man pud niya iyang trabaho… makita pud nako nga malipay
siya
 Naa siguroy times na kapoy iyang trabaho I’m sure tanan man work ingana,
especially if daghan customers…bilib gihapon ko niya kay pursigido kaayo
siyas iyahang work and hardworking.

f. How does the different challenges shape you as an individual?

 Aw lahi na sauna ug karon, nga naa nakoy kwarta. Aw dako kaayo oy, dako
jud tabang akong trabaho kay nabago jud akong kinabuhi. Pweting dakoa…
kanang sukad naka sulod ko diri makapalit nakos akong kinahanglan og
ganahan… ang akong pagkuan, pagpuyo nga mag inusara kay okay raman. Nya
mingawon man pero.. wamay silingan ig uli nakos trabaho aw wa diretso tug.
Oo mura nasad nakog pamilya diri, na pamilya nako ni. Wala paman koy asawa
sukad karon, aw mag inusara nalng diay ko ani.
 Aw hinuon dako jud syag tabang kang Jacinto…kay nag inusara namn lang
siya kay wala man pud syay iyahang pamilya og asawa… mao na nga nasuod
mi ug uban pang katrabaho namo kay maayo man pud sila kay tratohon jud kag
murag igsuon… sukad nagtrabaho si Jacinto sa The Helping Hands kay nabati
jud nako nga malipayon siya.
 I can see how hardworking he is and kugihan kaayo… very friendly as well
hilig kaayo mokatawa and mosmile.
 25

APPENDIX E

DOCUMENTATION
 26

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