Research has found that people with disabilities in Cambodia continue to face significant challenges when it comes to finding employment.
According to WHO, an estimated 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the global population – experience a significant disability today.
In the 2019 census, persons with disabilities in Cambodia totalled 689,532, which was equivalent to 4.9% of the population.
A research called “Digital For All: Digital Inclusion for People with Disabilities,” supported by USAID Cambodia via Civil Society Support (CSS) activity under FHI 360 Cambodia, was co-implemented by Agile Development Group from October 2023 to July 2024.
The Digital for All program culminated with a workshop called Disability Inclusion: Collated Solutions on Civic Engagement for People with Disabilities on July 18. The research report was released on August 12, 2024.
The project’s goal was for civic engagement to be more inclusive for people with disabilities by raising awareness about strategies on digital platforms, promoting behavioral changes, and influencing policymakers on digital literacy and necessary accommodations.
According to the research, people with disabilities face several challenges. These include barriers to education, a lack of rights, low confidence due to societal norms and discrimination, and limited family support, which hinder access to education and skills development.
In terms of employment, individuals with disabilities often struggle due to a lack of awareness about their rights, societal discrimination, and insufficient accommodation in their workplace. Transportation accessibility also poses significant challenges, limiting their ability to engage in civic activities, and access essential services.
Additionally, there are gaps in accountability regarding the provision of reasonable modifications, which are crucial to enable individuals with disabilities to fully participate in society.
Access to information is another issue, as limited communication channels and internet access, especially in rural areas, restrict access to important information regarding employment and other opportunities.
There was also a general lack of awareness and understanding of disabilities that contributed to societal stigma and discrimination, further isolating people with disabilities from community engagement and opportunities.
Drawing up solutions
The research outlines several solutions to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities, including integrating disability-inclusive curriculum and providing digital literacy training to enhance educational access.
It also suggested improving access to information via traditional advertising and establishing sustainable networks.
Transportation solutions such as dormitories near educational institutions and advocating for public transport options in provinces were proposed.
To foster an inclusive work environment, it was suggested that government and private sectors implement accessibility features and provide training for employees.
Community engagement can be enhanced through workshops for families and caregivers, and including rehabilitation services in community health centers.
In addition, expanding telecommunications infrastructure and providing educational tools, like laptops, can improve access to resources for individuals with disabilities, particularly in rural areas.
The solutions aim to empower people with disabilities and improve their access to education, employment and essential services.
Chea Horn, president of Cambodian Music Association for the Disabled, concurred with the research findings, noting that in today’s developing society, education and transportation are “no longer significant obstacles”.
While these issues used to be a major challenge for people with disabilities due to their limited availability, they have now become more accessible and less problematic than in the past.
Discrimination despite working better
However, Horn cited two challenges. “Even though we have abilities and talents similar to, or sometimes even better than, those without disabilities, we still face division and discrimination.
“The fees they pay us are also unequal. They say that they want us to work because they want to help us, but the reality is different. They only come to us because they can’t find other workers,” he said.
He added that although the government said they are “committed to providing opportunities for disabled people”, in reality, there was a gap, especially with company representatives.
Horn stressed that offering opportunities was crucial. “I want society, the government, and companies to give more chances to people with disabilities, and I want to see real results,” he said.
He also believed that the government should take the initiative and lead by example.
The government should be the first to take action, he mentioned. “Even ministers, government officials or oknha might have family members with disabilities but they often seem afraid to acknowledge or address it.”
“Instead of avoiding the issue, they should take it up head-on. Disability is something we need to address openly,” he said.
Meas Sros, leader of Smart Disabled Women Of Shampoo Producing Community Team and a person with disability, listed her challenges during the workshop, with lack of job opportunities being one.
“First, there is discrimination. People often believe that individuals with disabilities work slowly and are less capable. However, some perform even better than those without disabilities. Given a choice, employers often prefer those without disabilities, and we are frequently the last option,” she said.
Like Horn, Sros wants the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) to lead by example and serve as a role model for other institutions and companies.
“I hope that the ministry will create job opportunities, and set a precedent for others to follow,” she added.
Recognizing, valuing their contribution
Sathya Hato, communications lead for Agile Development, explained that the workshop marked the formal submission of research findings to the ministry.
It was attended by 43 key stakeholders, including representatives from MoSVY, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Persons with Disabilities Foundation and the National Employment Agency.
Their future plan was to leverage research to improve the lives of people with disabilities in upcoming projects. USAID Cambodia, through the CSS Activity under FHI360 Cambodia, has shown interest in providing additional funding for a pilot or extension project.
They are currently exploring potential directions for this project, focusing on the barriers.
“We are exploring several ideas, including digital literacy training and other training programs. However, we are still in the discussion phase and have not yet determined the specific direction we will take,” Hato said in a phone call.
As part of the initiative, they plan to include training on disability inclusion, advocate for the recognition of the abilities of people with disabilities, and emphasize the importance of valuing their contributions.
“While some workplaces are becoming more inclusive, discrimination still exists amid a lack of understanding about the appropriate adjustments. To address this, we provide training for employers on disability inclusion.
“We explain what disability is – how it looks and how to define it. The goal is to educate employers to foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment.”
He also wants to introduce a new concept of disability. “Typically, we define disability based on what we see. When we ask about disability, people think of things like crutches.”
“However, disability can also refer to any impairment that limits a person’s ability to function fully. For example, myopia or nearsightedness, can be considered a disability if someone doesn’t have access to spectacles.”
Sun Ratana, director of Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Department in MoSVY, mentioned that there are laws on the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.
He said the National Strategic Plan on Disability highlighted development, promotion of disability rights and other standards ensuring employment opportunities for people with disabilities in MoSVY and the private sector.
The plan assured disability benefits from national programs, social assistance, family packages, and vocational training for people with disabilities, as well as addressing the challenges of people with disabilities.
In addition, the Rehabilitation Services Program is an important part of MoSVY via the Disability Fund and Nationwide Rehabilitation Centers. “We provide rehabilitation services for social needs and housing construction, and subsidies,” he said.
