A Survey of Factors Predicting Employability of People with Special Needs in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined factors predicting employability of people with special needs in Ibadan metropolis. It adopted a descriptive survey research design. Three research questions were raised and answered in the study. Participants were one hundred and fifty high-ranking officers of organizations that were randomly selected in each of five local governments within Ibadan Metropolis. A self-developed survey instrument, “Employability Assessment Scale for People with Special Needs” (EASPSN, r = 0.91), segmented into three sections; Employer’s Attitude Assessment Scale, Employment Discrimination Assessment Scale, and Workplace Environmental Factors Assessment Scale was used to collect data for the study. Data were analysed, using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple regressions. The results revealed that employability of people with special need positively correlates with employer’s attitude(r = .712), employment discrimination (r = .610) and environmental factor (r = .472). Results also indicated that the three independent variables (Employer’s Attitude, Employment Discrimination, and Environmental Factors) when pulled together have significant effect on employability of people with special needs in Ibadan (Adj.R2= .861). It also revealed that among the three predictors, employer’s attitude is a higher potent factor (β = .878, t =9.934, P<0.05).It is recommended that awareness and sensitization programmes be anchored by the government to alleviate fears among employers of labour about employing people with special needs. Their rights to fair and equal wages, working hours and opportunities, and the cultural benefits of being employed in any organisation no matter their health condition, should be upheld.