Browsing by Author "Naidoo, Deshini"

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    A study exploring procedures used to select and analyse microenterprises for persons with disabilities
    (Public Library of Science, 2025) Soeker, Shaheed Mogammad; Monareng, Luther Lebogang; Naidoo, Deshini
    Background Attaining the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Goals, such as fighting poverty and involving adults in work, requires the involvement of professionals such as occupational therapists. Persons with disabilities are among the adults to whom occupational therapists provide work or vocational rehabilitation services for productivity and well-being. Occupational therapists have skills such as analysing tasks to determine associated demands and requirements. The analysis ensures task feasibility, suitability, and matching of persons with disabilities. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that occupational therapists lack a systematic and practical approach to select and analyse suitable microenterprises for individuals with disabilities they serve. The objectives of this study were to address the gap in occupational therapy by exploring the i) selection of a suitable microenterprise for persons with disabilities and ii) factors to consider when analysing microenterprises to ensure successful outcomes. Thus, this study aims to explore procedures used to select and analyse microenterprises for persons with disabilities. Methods Seventeen participants participated in this exploratory qualitative research, three male. They were occupational therapists based in academia, clinical settings and learners with Special Education Needs Schools, respectively. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit the participants. Data was analysed using thematic analysis using the hybrid inductive and deductive approach. Ethical clearance was issued by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. Results Two themes emerged. Theme one: The process of selecting an appropriate microenterprise. This theme describes the participant’s insight into the approach to microenterprise selection, the use of the microenterprise list or options available, and the distinct features of these microenterprises. Theme two: Factors to consider when analysing a suitable microenterprise as a placement option. The theme explores microenterprise accessibility, the key role players involved, business demands, and funding availability and access. Conclusion/discussion/interpretation For microenterprise selection and suitability analysis, a comprehensive, systematic and contextualised approach is crucial to facilitate self-employment as a viable career choice. Such includes integrating a list of microenterprises found in South Africa for career choice consideration. Moreover, there are essential factors for consideration, including the involvement of various key role players, legal and regulatory frameworks, funding sources and leveraging the strengths of persons with disabilities. These factors, effectively integrated with occupational therapists’ expertise in vocational rehabilitation, can enhance the vocational success of persons with disabilities
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    A study exploring procedures used to select and analyse microenterprises for persons with disabilities
    (Public Library of Science, 2025) Soeker, Shaheed Mogammad; Monareng, Luther Lebogang; Naidoo, Deshini
    Background Attaining the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Goals, such as fighting poverty and involving adults in work, requires the involvement of professionals such as occupational therapists. Persons with disabilities are among the adults to whom occupational therapists provide work or vocational rehabilitation services for productivity and well-being. Occupational therapists have skills such as analysing tasks to determine associated demands and requirements. The analysis ensures task feasibility, suitability, and matching of persons with disabilities. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that occupational therapists lack a systematic and practical approach to select and analyse suitable microenterprises for individuals with disabilities they serve. The objectives of this study were to address the gap in occupational therapy by exploring the i) selection of a suitable microenterprise for persons with disabilities and ii) factors to consider when analysing microenterprises to ensure successful outcomes. Thus, this study aims to explore procedures used to select and analyse microenterprises for persons with disabilities. Methods Seventeen participants participated in this exploratory qualitative research, three male. They were occupational therapists based in academia, clinical settings and learners with Special Education Needs Schools, respectively. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit the participants. Data was analysed using thematic analysis using the hybrid inductive and deductive approach. Ethical clearance was issued by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. Results Two themes emerged. Theme one: The process of selecting an appropriate microenterprise.
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    Examining self-employment policies for persons with disabilities in South Africa: perspectives from policy actors
    (Public Library of Science, 2025) Soeker, Shaheed Mogammad; Monareng, Luther Lebogang; Naidoo, Deshini
    Background Despite robust global and national efforts to promote inclusive development, a significant gap persists in countries such as South Africa’s self-employment policies for persons with disabilities. The existing legislative framework, although well-intentioned, lacks clear and comprehensive guidance on self-employment as a viable placement option for persons with disabilities. Consequently, this ambiguity hinders effective policy implementation, limiting economic empowerment and social inclusion. This research aimed to explore the existence of self-employment-specific policies for persons with disabilities and policy actors’ involved in South Africa. Methods The participants (n=47) had an average of 10 years of experience in self-employment for persons with disabilities, holding qualifications ranging from no formal education to master’s degrees. This qualitative study ensured transparent and systematic reporting using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Purposive and snowball sampling were utilised to recruit participants. Data were collected using a piloted question guide and analysed using the NVIVO software. Data was analysed thematically. Ethics clearance, relevant gatekeepers’ permission and informed written consent from participants were obtained. Results Two themes emerged, namely, theme one: The status quo on self-employment-specific policies for persons with disabilities. Participants reported on the absence of explicit policies on self-employment for persons with disabilities, the lack of effectiveness in inclusive South African legal frameworks and their lack of impact on promoting self-employment opportunities. Theme two: policy actors’ involvement in self-employment-specific policies for persons with disabilities. Participants reported on the roles and responsibilities of policy actors and strategies to promote self-employment opportunities for persons with disabilities through policy reforms.
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    Occupational therapy graduates’ reflections on their ability to cope with primary healthcare and rural practice during community service
    (Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, 2017) Naidoo, Deshini; Van Wyk, Jacqueline; Waggie, Firdouza
    BACKGROUND: Occupational therapy graduates are expected to deliver service in public health facilities using a primary healthcare approach (PHC) during their community service year. There is limited literature available about their experiences in this context. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the experiences of novice occupational therapy graduates and the extent to which their curriculum had prepared them for practice in PHC settings. METHODS: This qualitative exploratory study used purposive sampling to recruit thirty nine novice occupational therapy graduates. Using audio-recorded semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion data were collected to explore participants’ experience of work and the extent to which their undergraduate programme had prepared them for primary healthcare practice. The data was analyzed thematically. FINDINGS: Occupational therapy graduates expressed challenges in applying the PHC approaches for practice in resource-restricted rural settings. They required additional skills to communicate in the local indigenous language, to understand the various beliefs of the local communities and to manage change in these settings. They were well prepared for basic clinical skills as a need for urban-based ethical practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Curriculum planners need to review the teaching of communication skills and introduce students to strategies for change management. More inter-professional collaboration and service-learning in rural primary healthcare settings will prepare them better for rural and PHC settings.
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    Persons with disabilities’ perceptions on self-employment barriers, facilitators and solutions in a rural setting – an exploratory qualitative study
    (SAGE Publications Ltd, 2025) Soeker, Shaheed Mogammad; Monareng, Luther Lebogang; Naidoo, Deshini
    Background: Self-employment is a prevalent employment or job placement option for persons with disabilities in developing countries like those in Africa. Objective: This research explored perceptions of self-employment barriers, facilitators and solutions among persons with disabilities in a rural South African setting. Methods: This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit ten persons with disabilities in microenterprises in a rural setting of KwaZulu Natal. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted using a piloted question guide in their preferred language. Thematic data analysis was done using the hybrid inductive and deductive approaches. Data was managed using the NVIVO software. Results: Out of ten self-employed participants, nine were male, and one was female. None of the participants had passed grade 12 (a prerequisite for basic jobs and entry into tertiary education), and two had no education. Two themes emerged. Theme one: Participants identified personal, societal and role players related barriers and facilitators in self-employment. Persons with disabilities reported challenges in self-employment. Despite the challenges, they remained resolute in leveraging residual function (functional upper limbs and cognitive abilities) to operate their microenterprise and use their time constructively. Theme two: Persons with disabilities proposed assistance with setting up self-employment in microenterprises as a solution – “What I would need most from a professional…” The proposed solutions involved community-based outreach where key role players engage directly with persons with disabilities in their communities to identify and address their needs. Conclusions: Persons with disabilities in rural KwaZulu Natal seek tailored and transparent services to address barriers to self-employment and ensure the sustainability of their microenterprise.