The work ability web: A tool for job matching

Issue title: Occupational Work Therapy Practice in South Africa

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Graham, Margot S.

Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, PO Box 667, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa. Tel.: +27 12 3297800; Fax: +27 12 3297800; E-mail: margot.graham@up.ac.za

Abstract: A rural community in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, requested assistance in finding a solution for the dilemma of unemployment for persons with disabilities (PWD). The researcher was involved in a multi disciplinary development programme in the community and investigated the possibilities of integrating the PWD in the income generating projects planned for the community at large. This article reports on one of the objectives of this participatory research study: exploring possible ways of job placement in the projects by community workers. The challenge was to find a simplified process by which uncomplicated placements could be handled by community workers, and complex cases identified and referred to the regional occupational therapists. The researcher used a functional assessment kit to assess the level of dependence/independence of each PWD as well as an interview on employment history and personal aspirations and needs. A job analysis was done on five planned projects for the community that would generate income. The data of the functional analysis of each person and the job requirements were then plotted on one web, the work ability web (WAW) to illustrate compatibility. One of the cases from the sample is described to demonstrate the process.

Keywords: Job match, community-based rehabilitation, functional assessment

Journal: Work, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 37-45, 2007