If Work Doesn't Work: How to Enable Occupational Justice

Abstract

This article addresses the concept of occupational justice for people with disabilities. Three young well‐educated Norwegian women with a disability, who had previously been employed, were interviewed to investigate the factors they considered as facilitating or impeding employment. Additionally, the negative effects of unemployment on societal participation were explored. Utilising qualitative methods, in‐depth semi‐structured interviews revealed four major themes: 1) barriers to entry to employment, 2) occupational alienation stemming from unemployment, 3) occupational marginalization, and 4) occupational imbalance leading to occupational deprivation. Findings highlight the importance of the workplace environment supporting people with disabilities, and the relationship between unemployment and occupational alienation.

Key words:

• Women with a disability
• Environmental barriers
• Occupational alienation
• Occupational marginalization
• Occupational deprivation