PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN HORTICULTURE – PREFERENCES FOR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN HORTICULTURE – PREFERENCES FOR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

Summary/Abstract: This paper is about motivation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) for horticultural activities and training in order to improve their employment opportunities in an open labour market. A quantitative survey about PWDs´ willingness for employment in horticulture sector was conducted among the users of the compensation to employment in Zagreb (Croatia). The convenient sample consisted of 236 respondents. Apart from sociodemographic variables, the respondents were asked about their educational background, additional skills and knowledge for employment, health indicators, well-being perception and horticultural preferences. The majority of the respondents loved plants (88%) and staying in the nature (93%). One third of the respondents were interested in ornamental horticulture education. The preferable profession, chosen among 12 sectors of different professions, was gardening, in 38% respondents. The research indicated that education and practicing of horticulture have significant potential in raising the quality of life of PWDs in various ways – as an excellent area for employment, reducing the PWDs’ high unemployment rate, and as an activity with significant benefits to their personal development, rehabilitation, and, in raising the level of their life satisfaction.

• Details
• Contents