Employment – the route to inclusion

San Palo Brazil

Fear and Myths

Employment myths

Costly OH&S risk Segregated service Work ready

In our communities, disability is seen as a charity issue. You are not seen as a person who can have a life, get a job, live independently. This is very much against our human rights. There is a huge need for awareness work in our countries.

Maria Veronica Reina, researcher with mobility impairment (Argentina)

Myths re Disability

Severity and extent of disability should first be assessed because this predicts employment outcomes.

Wait until someone has recovered before considering employment

Impact Myths resulted in a:

Deficit model of assessment for work Belief that for certain groups of people

work is not a possibility, especially in open employment

Poor employment outcomes for those with mental health or chronic diseases

Limited pathways for young people leaving school

The facts

the two strongest predictors of employment success are: The person’s motivation (they want

assistance); The nature of the employment

service provided. However, extent of disability and

disadvantage can predict the intensity and the cost of the assistance needed.

Poverty or self worth

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Determinants of health

education employment income housing access to medical and related services

Setting expectations

Marlee Matlin said: I was told never to let anyone inhibit my dreams or let my disability dictate who I am or what I want. … I was fortunate in that I found people who were great mentors along the way

UNCRPD Both a development and a human rights

instrument which was legally binding, cross-disability and cross-sectoral

Framework Articulated a framework:

Principles

Definition of disability

Reasonable accommodations

Inter connected articles

Definition

‘Disability is an evolving concept, and that disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others’

Definition of “reasonable accommodation”

“Reasonable accommodation” means necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. . .”

Often referred to as• Reasonable adjustment• Reasonable modification

Reasonable accommodation

The right to benefit from reasonable accommodation is immediately applicable

Myths about costs “Nothing about us without us” –

Ask people what they want

Inclusive development When included, disabled people

contribute to the economic development of their countries as employees, entrepreneurs and consumers

The cost of disability exclusion is between US$1.37 and US$1.94 trillion

Accessibility and reasonable accommodation are essential enablers to allow for inclusion

Health Condition Health Condition ((disorder/diseasedisorder/disease))

International Classifcation of International Classifcation of Health Function and Disability ICFHealth Function and Disability ICF

Environmental Environmental FactorsFactors

Personal Personal FactorsFactors

Body Body function&structurefunction&structure (Impairment(Impairment))

ActivitiesActivities(Limitation)(Limitation)

ParticipationParticipation(Restriction)(Restriction)

Turning paper into action

The charm of fishing is that it isthe pursuit of whatis elusive, butattainable, aperpetual series occasions forhope. – John Buchan

Factors

Know they have employment rights and its implications

Measuring tools Agreed definitions

Reaching a person’s potential

Johann Wolfgang von Godhe “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of.”

Evidence-based supported employment principles

1. Eligibility is based on consumer choice;2. Supported employment is integrated

with treatment;3. Competitive employment is the goal;4. Rapid job search (within 4 weeks);5. Job finding, and all assistance, is

individualised;6. Follow-along supports are continuous;7. Financial planning is provided.

All facets

Getting into open employment

Career development

Retaining employment

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Consideration

“It’s much more important to know what sort of person

has the disease than what sort of disease

the person has”

Sir William Osler, 1896

Non-medical descriptors that employers understand

Work of the ILO

Policy and Legal Foundation

Research and Evaluation

Build capacity

Key areas of ILO work Integrating skills development into

national and sector strategies

Expanding access to employment – related training

Improving the ability of public employment services

Legislation

Achieving Equal Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities through Legislation Guidelines

Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the workplace

CBR

“CBR is a strategy for enhancing the quality of life of disabled people by improving service delivery, by providing more equitable opportunities and by promoting and protecting their human rights"

By Einar HelanderSwedish PhD and M.D.Internationally Recognized Expert on CBR

Learning from each other The problem is not how to wipe out

all differences, But how to unite - keeping all

differences intact. – Tagore

Knowledge sharing

Interestingly, knowledge sharing is more

than just sharing; it is about "workingtogether", “helping each other" and "collaboration".

Publications

Assisting disabled people into employment - A practical guide

People with Disabilities: Pathways to Decent Work

The right to decent work of persons with disabilities

Collaboration

Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. Mattie Stepanek

Leadership

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Harold R. McAlindon

(Re)habilitation

Without effective rehabilitation services employment aspirations and continuation of employment will not be achieved.

Rehabilitation as an essential investment mechanism

What it means

To believe inrehabilitation is tobelieve in humanity.

Action

By Heather Grace Stewart Forget about being right, and forget

about being perfect. Surprise someone with kindness. Use humour to dissipate anger. Stop waiting for the right time, the right words, the right tactic. Make it right. Do it your way. Do it now.