Degrees Without Doors? Exploring the Transition to Work for Differently Abled University Graduates

Author Information

Agampodi Nirwadya Nirikshani Mendis Gunasekara, Research Intelligence Unit, Sri Lanka
Hoshin De Silva, Research Intelligence Unit, Sri Lanka
Tharangi Jayamali Wanigasuriya, SLTC Research University, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Despite Sri Lanka’s UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and 3% quota, graduates with disabilities face global and local employment inequities, earning less and encountering barriers. This study explores the transition of recent graduates from public universities who are differently abled or with different learning difficulties to the work force in Sri Lanka using a mixed method approach, including: (i) a 12-month post-graduation survey using the Washington Group questions, (ii) semi-structured interviews with graduates, career-services staff, and employers (iii) a review of recruitment and onboarding policies and practices. The preliminary findings identify three main barriers to this transition. First, readiness to apply; several lack accessible career services, assistive technologies, and internship opportunities. Second, hiring and entry; inconsistent compliance with hiring quotas, inaccessible application processes, and limited accommodations. Third, retention and progression, the lack of budgets for required accommodations, and an inflexible probation or performance system. Further, this study suggests implementing practices like accessible recruitment standards, disability-aware job-matching, internship-to-job bridges, and dedicated university–employer liaison roles, which correlate with quicker hiring, higher early-career retention. The paper concludes with actionable insights for Higher Education Institutions and policymakers: integrate disability questions in national graduate tracer surveys, hard-link quota compliance to procurement and promotion criteria, co-fund workplace accommodations via grants/levies, mandate accessibility in psychometrics and Applicant Tracking System, and embed Universal Design for Learning and specialist employment advising within universities. Taken together, these measures can open the doors to decent careers for graduates with learning difficulties and disabilities in Sri Lanka.

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• Category: Education & Difference: Gifted Education, Special Education, Learning Difficulties & Disability

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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