Skills Acquisition by Youth with Disabilities: The Need for Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Abstract

The study was designed to determine Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) needed by youth with disabilities in Niger State. Four research questions and one hypothesis, tested at .05 level of significance guided the study in which a descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study was carried out in Niger State, Nigeria and the population was 70 subjects. The instrument for data collection was Vocational Rehabilitation Services Questionnaire (VRSQ). The VRSQ which was structured with five point Likert’s scale was validated by experts in physiotherapy, vocational education and training as well as guidance and counseling who ascertained the correctness of the items of the questionnaire based on the research questions. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed among others that youth with disabilities needed provision of prosthestic and orthotic devices such as artificial limbs; eye glasses and other visual aids; training on photography and video coverage; ceramic making; skill in electronic appliances repair; as well as job placement services for economic self-reliance. Based on the findings, iy was recommended that: (1) stakeholders should provide youth with disabilities with opportunities to practice and improve their work place skills, consider their carrier interest and get real world work experience; (2) Government should encourage employers to employ youth with disabilities by offering reduction in tax liability and provide loan services to those that wish to establish their own businesses; and (3) NGOs and individuals should assist in providing facilities and infrastructure necessary for adequate vocational rehabilitation of youth with disabilities.