Habilidades sociolaborales y terapia ocupacional de personas con discapacidad

Abstract

This study analyzes the social and work skills and occupational therapy of people with disabilities in the canton of San Pedro de Pelileo. Social and work skills are defined as the ability of workers to perform adequately in their jobs, while occupational therapy is the discipline responsible for promoting autonomy, social participation, and functional adaptation in the face of limitations in vital capacities. Because people with disabilities often experience physical, social, and attitudinal barriers, they also have problems accessing decent work in Ecuador, such as in the canton of Pelileo, where there are around 1,547 inhabitants with some type of disability. Therefore, the objective of this research is to determine the impact of social and work skills and occupational therapy on people with disabilities in San Pedro de Pelileo. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach at a descriptive level, through the application of a semi-structured interview script of our own design, consisting of 10 open-ended questions that were previously validated by experts and pilot tested. Twenty workers with disabilities from the Municipal GAD participated, who identified understanding instructions, adapting to change, effective communication, punctuality, and teamwork as essential social and work skills, which, together with occupational therapy or family support, strengthened their autonomy, inclusion, and the development of strategies for performing daily activities and at work. In conclusion, the results of the interviews suggest that the combination of social and work skills, family, and occupational therapy interventions had an impact on the interviewees' integration into the workplace. It also highlights the need to strengthen collaborative environments, therapeutic continuity, and awareness in order to achieve real and sustainable integration