Disability Inclusion in the Engineering Profession: The Role of ECSA in Advancing an Inclusive Engineering Environment for Professionals with Disabilities

Disability inclusion in the engineering profession remains an underexplored but essential dimension of workforce transformation, professional equity, and sustainable development. Globally, engineering regulators and professional bodies are increasingly expected to address systemic barriers that limit the participation and progression of engineers with disabilities. In South Africa, the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) holds a statutory mandate to protect the public, promote professional competence, and advance transformation within the engineering sector. This article examines the role of ECSA in supporting disability inclusion and evaluates the extent to which its policies, accreditation criteria, stakeholder engagements, and regulatory instruments contribute to creating an inclusive engineering environment. Using a qualitative document analysis of regulatory frameworks, disability legislation, and engineering education and workplace literature, the study identifies persistent structural barriers related to accessibility, professional registration, workplace accommodation, data availability, and institutional culture. While ECSA has made progress through its Transformation Framework, education accreditation standards, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms, disability inclusion remains insufficiently institutionalised. The article proposes a disability inclusion model tailored for ECSA, centred on accessibility, universal design, disability-responsive regulation, data-driven transformation strategies, and strengthened partnerships with disability rights organisations. The study contributes to debates on inclusive professional regulation and offers practical pathways for advancing disability-inclusive engineering in South Africa.