Vocational training program for people with disabilities in Western Uganda: assessing the unobserved outcomes

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of a vocational training program for people with disabilities in Western Uganda. Particular attention is given to assessing intermediate outcomes in participants that precede employment, such as employable skills, self-efficacy, self-esteem and disability identity. Using multiple linear regression with mediation analysis on data from a survey of vocational training program graduates in Western Uganda, we find that engagement in vocational training is positively associated with cognitive self-development, with disability identity playing a significant mediating role. Our findings underscore the importance of comprehensive vocational training programs that foster often-overlooked unobservable intermediate outcomes in people with disabilities. © 2025 Canadian Association for the Study of International Development (CASID).

Keywords

Author Keywords

self-efficacy vocational education and training Program evaluation People with Disabilities disability identity

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Center for International Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea

Underwood International College, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

Funding & Acknowledgements

Korea International Cooperation Agency, KOICA

KFHI\u2019s \u201CSupport for Vocational Training Schools for Persons with Physical Disabilities and Raising Disability Awareness in Western Uganda\u201D was jointly planned and implemented by KFHI and the International Development Institute (IDI) Uganda, funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This two-year, yearly program started in 2022, with two respective cohorts completing full cycles of the program. Aiming to integrate PWDs into society through employment, the program comprised two main components: VET and disability awareness building. While our study focuses only on the VET component, this section provides a comprehensive snapshot of KFHI\u2019s program.

References 10 References

1 Halim, Fazlinda Binti Ab, The relationship between employability skills and self-efficacy of students with learning disabilities in vocational stream, Asian Journal of University Education, 15, 3, pp. 163-174, (2019)

2 Al-Rashaida, Mohammad, Factors affecting the satisfaction of people with disabilities in relation to vocational rehabilitation programs: A literature review, Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 49, 1, pp. 97-115, (2018)

3 Bal, Marjolijn Irene, A vocational rehabilitation intervention for young adults with physical disabilities: participants' perception of beneficial attributes, Child: Care, Health and Development, 43, 1, pp. 114-125, (2017)

4 Encyclopedia of Human Behavior, (1994)

5 Block, Pamela, Project Shake-It-Up: Using health promotion, capacity building and a disability studies framework to increase self efficacy, Disability and Rehabilitation, 32, 9, pp. 741-754, (2010)

6 Bogart, Kathleen R., Disability pride protects self-esteem through the rejection-identification model, Rehabilitation Psychology, 63, 1, pp. 155-159, (2018)

7 Edd Diss, (2006)

8 Carter, Erik William, Predictors of postschool employment outcomes for young adults with severe disabilities, Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 23, 1, pp. 50-63, (2012)

9 Cavanagh, Jillian Maria, Vocational learning for workers with intellectual disability: interventions at two case study sites, Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 71, 3, pp. 350-367, (2019)

10 Chumo, Ivy, Social inclusion of persons with disability in employment: what would it take to socially support employed persons with disability in the labor market?, Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 4, (2023)

Vocational training program for people with disabilities in Western Uganda: assessing the unobserved outcomes

How to Cite