Being an Orthopedic Disabled Employee in Public Institutions in Turkey: A Provincial Example

Background: In this article, the difficulties faced by people with orthopedic disabilities working in public institutions in their working lives are identified and discussed. Objective: This study aims to identify the problems faced by individuals with orthopedic disabilities working in public institutions in their working lives and to offer appropriate solutions to these problems. Methods: In this study, 26 orthopedically disabled individuals working in 17 different public institutions in Erzincan city center in Turkey were included. In the study conducted with qualitative research method, the data were collected with a semi-structured and face-to-face interview form and were created using descriptive analysis method, sub-problems were determined and supported with quotations from the participants. Results: It has been determined that there are deficiencies and inadequacies in the workplaces of orthopedically disabled individuals working in public institutions regarding physical accessibility, harmony between work and employee, workload, the position they work in, the problems they experience with their colleagues and managers, the employment of disabled people in the public sector and the expectations of disabled people and presented as sub-headings. Conclusion: In line with the results, suggestions for solving the problems were presented and thus, it was tried to contribute to the studies to be carried out on the subject. © The Author(s) 2025