1. GAP ANALYSIS BETWEEN
EMPLOYMENT AND THE SKILLS
IN TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL
PROGRAMS TAUGHT IN
SPED INSTITUTIONS
FOR THE YEAR 2012

2. Rationale
The public is already aware with the existence of special children or
generally those persons with disabilities. Special Education (SpEd)
Centers have been built for them and SpEd teachers are teaching
them with the accessible resources and materials necessary for
them to learn. But does everybody know where will they be going
after they finish their Special Education program?
Through this study, people will be made aware of the integration of
these persons with disabilities within the locality of Cebu Province.
This will give them better views about the capacity of persons with
disabilities and their ability to contribute in our economy.
PWDs, too, have the same dignity and rights to become productive
like anybody else.
This ideal could be further intensified through redirecting the
attention of the people to their abilities instead of their stereotyped
disabilities.

3. Statement of the Problem
The theory of Functionalism states that a modern economy
depends for its prosperity on using human capital, its workers and
skills, in order to maintain a social body. Persons with disabilities are
among the members of a social body, and hence, also contribute to
the economy – one of which is through employment. In lieu to this, the
challenges that persons with disabilities face in the course of
employment in Cebu province for the year 2012 is aimed to be viewed
through this research work.
This study aims to answer the following questions:
1. What are the skills taught in vocational training institutions for
persons with disabilities?
2. What are the skills required in the different companies within
Cebu province that employ persons with disabilities?
3. What are the challenges met by the PWDs in the course of
employment?

6. Methodology
Research Design
Descriptive research was used in conducting this study in which it
utilized both the quantitative and qualitative research.
Quantitative research uses numerical analysis while qualitative
research on the other hand uses systematic subjective approach in
describing data. The technique used in gathering data is
Survey, which is a fact-finding study with adequate and accurate
interpretation.
Research Environment
Cebu Province
Research Respondents
3 SPED Institutions and 50 employed PWDs (Random Sampling)

7. Research Instruments
checklist, inventory, interview questionnaire
Data Gathering Procedures
A. Preliminary Data Gathering Procedure
Letters were sent to SPED Institutions and the different
government agencies
B. Actual Gathering Procedure
The researchers went to the offices, gathered
documents, conducted informal interviews and
observations.

8. Findings
G.I.S.

13. Challenges of PWDs towards Employment:
Competition with the regular applicants
Efficiency issues at work
Good communication skills
Discrimination
Sense of responsibility of PWDs towards work

14. Conclusion
PWDs in the Cebu province are integrated in the field
of work. The technical/vocational programs offered by SPED
institutions have provided skills necessary for PWDs to earn a
job.
Computer skills are very important in teaching PWDs
since computer related jobs provide more employment
opportunities for them.
The factors that served as barriers in the integration of
PWDs in the work force are the following:
competition with the regular applicants,
efficiency issues,
good communication skills,
discrimination; and
sense of responsibility of PWDs towards their work

15. Recommendation
To address the employment of PWDs the researchers
recommend the following:
SPED Institutions should look into the trends in employment
and if possible collaboration from schools, government
agencies and employers in tracking the integration of PWDs
in the work force.
Utilization of modified communication techniques that suits
the exceptionality of the PWDs in order for them to
communicate well and perform better in their job.
Similar researchers should be conducted in neighboring
provinces to see the integration of PWDs in terms of
employment, as a result to successful SPED programs.
PWDs should be given the chance to be employed, given
that they were able to meet the requirements for a certain
position.