Volume 14 Issue 1 (2025)

Blind Teachers' Perspectives on the Difficulties They Face in the Workplaces in Tanzania

pp. 111-123  |  Available Online: June 2025  |  DOI: 10.22521/unibulletin.2025.141.7

Sweetbertha Neema Mugassa , Juhudi Karugendo Cosmas

Abstract

Background/purpose. The literature supports the idea that blind people, including teachers, work in a variety of jobs and do their jobs well. This study intended to explore how blind teachers perceive the difficulties they encounter in inclusive teaching in the school environment.

Materials/methods. In this qualitative study and phenomenological design, face-to-face interviews generated data. Participants were blind teachers. The sample consisted of 15 participants. A thematic analysis was conducted.

Results. The findings were deficiencies in the actual physical workspace, transportation, discrimination, insufficient appropriate accommodations, insufficient assistive equipment and teaching materials, and a dearth of opportunities for professional advancement.

Conclusion. Although Tanzania seeks to engage teachers with disabilities as role models in schools and education, several challenges remain standing in the way of achieving this goal. As a result, schools, local governments, and other national education stakeholders need to take more action.

Keywords: Blind teachers, inclusive education, inclusive teaching, right to work, workplace

References

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. http://dx.doi.org/10. 1191/147 80887

Cunnah, W. (2015). Disabled Students: Identity, Inclusion and Work-Based Placements. Disability & Society, 30(2), 213–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2014.996282

Gaudet, S., & Robert D.  (2018). A journey through qualitative research: From design to reporting. London: Sage.

 Gillies, J. (2012). University Graduates with a Disability: The Transition to the Workforce. Disability Studies Quarterly, 32 (3). https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v32i3.3281

Holloway, I., & Wheeler, S. (2013). Qualitative research in nursing and healthcare. John Wiley & Sons.

Joseph, M. A. M., & Robinson, M. (2012). Vocational experiences of college-educated individuals with visual impairments. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 43(4), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.1891/0047-2220.43.4.21

Kim, M. M., & Williams, B. C. (2012). Lived employment experiences of college students and graduates with physical disabilities in the United States. Disability & Society, 27(6), 837–852. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.673081

Kulkarni, M., & Kote, J. (2014). Increasing employment of people with disabilities: The role and views of disability training and placement agencies. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 26(3), 177–193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-013-9216-z

Kunnath, S. K., & Mathew, S. N. (2019). Higher Education for Students with Disabilities in India: Insights from a Focus Group Study. Higher Education for the Future, 6(2) 171–187. https://doi.org/10.1177/2347631119840540

Leblebici, D. (2012). Impact of workplace quality on employees' productivity: Case study of a Bank in Turkey. Journal of Business, Economics and Finance, 1(1), 38-49. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/374627

Liamputtong, P.  (2019). Qualitative inquiry. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.). Handbook of research methods in health social sciences: Springer, p. 9–25. https://doi.org//10.1007/978-981-10-5251-4_53    

Madu, N. G., Asawo, S. P., & Gabriel, J. M. O. (2017). Physical workplace environment and employees’ engagement: A theoretical exploration. International Journal of Arts and Humanities, 01(10), 867–884. www.journal-ijah.org

Munemo, E., & Tom, T. (2013). Problems of unemployment faced by visually impaired people. Greener Journal of Social Sciences, 3(4), 203–219. https://doi.org/10.15580/GJSS.2013.4.020713437

Neca, P., Borges, M. L., & Pinto, P. C. (2020). Teachers with disabilities: A literature review. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2020.1776779

Odame, L., Opoku, M. P., Nketsia, W., Swanzy, P., Alzyoudi, M., & Nsowah, F. A. (2021). From university-to-work: an in-depth exploration into the transition journey of graduates with sensory disabilities in Ghana. Disability & Society, 36(9), 1399–1422.  https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2020.1804328

Pritchard, G. (2010). Disabled people as culturally relevant teachers. Journal of Social Inclusion 1(1), 43–51. https://doi.org/10.36251/josi.4

Sgroi, M. (2016). ‘I should at least be given a chance to try’: The experience of media workers with disabilities in the United States during postsecondary education and early career. Disability & Society, 31(1), 64–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2015.1127213

Singal, N., Ware, H., & Bhutani, S. K. (2017). Inclusive quality education for children with disabilities. World Innovative Summit for Education. https://www.wise-qatar.org/app/uploads/2019/04/rr.6.2017_cambridge.pd.

Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., & DeVault, M. (2016). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. Hoboken: Wiley.

University of Cambridge (2021). Disabled teachers face significant workplace discrimination despite the drive for inclusive schools. https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/disabled-teachers-face-significant-workplace-discrimination-despite-drive-for-more-inclusive-schools.

URT. (2010). National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP II) (2010/11–2015/16)

UTRT. (2005). The first National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP I) (2005–2010). Ministry of Finance and Planning. https://repository.mof.go.tz/bitstream/handle/123456789/156/Tanzania-National%20Strategy%20for%20Growth%20and%20Poverty%20Reduction%20%28NSGRP%29.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Ware, H., Singal, N., & Groce, N. (2021). The work lives of disabled teachers: Revisiting inclusive education in English schools. Disability and Society. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/09687599.2020.1867074

WHO and World Bank. (2015). World Report on Disability. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/disabilities /world report /2011 /report .pdf

Wolffe, K. E., Ajuwon, P. M., & Kelly, S. M. (2013). Working with visual impairment in Nigeria: A qualitative look at employment status. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 107(6), 425–436. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X1310700605

Wolffe, K., Ajuwon, P., & Kelly, S. (2013). Working with visual impairment in Nigeria: A qualitative look at employment status. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 107(6), 425–436. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X1310700605

Wood, R., & Happé, F. (2021). What are the views and experiences of autistic teachers? Findings from an online survey in the UK. Disability and Society, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1916888.

Announcement

UNIBULLETIN News!

► New issue coming soon! (Volume 14 Issue 2, 2025)

Call for Papers

UNIBULLETIN is calling for submissions. Authors are invited to submit papers from the all areas of social sciences (miscellaneous) and related disciplines in the international context. All submissions should be presented only in English.