International Seminar
Update on Employment of
People with Disabilities
Patrick Maher
President Workability International
Email: patrick.maher@workability-international.org
What we will cover
• Workability International
• Global perspectives on
disability employment
• The Workability
International survey
• The Workability
International global
challenge
www.workability-international.com
Workability International
Workability International is proud to be the
world's largest body representing providers of work
and employment services to people with
disabilities.
More than three million people with disabilities are
engaged in work programs accessing employment
and work, delivered by more than 130 member
organisations in more than 40 countries.
Workability International encourages the sharing of
expertise and resources between a world with
diverse economic and social requirements.
www.workability-international.com
Global perspectives on disability employment
Source: World Report on Disability: WHO and World bank 2011
Access to employment will break the cycle of
poverty for people with disability
www.workability-international.com
Global perspectives on disability employment
Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises:
“The right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with
others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work
freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that
is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.”
www.workability-international.com
Global trends on disability employment
Global Trend
Description
‘Person Centred’ or
‘Individual Rights‘
based disability
support
Putting the person who is receiving the service at the centre of
the planning and delivery of that service.
Market based model
for support
Disability services, including employment services, compete to
win business. Competition will increase quality and decrease
costs.
‘Work-First’ model for
disability employment
People with disability take any job on offer which will lead to
other opportunities.
Government
procurement
programs
Programs are being rolled out globally that promote
government departments procuring services from disability
workshops, creating employment for people with disabilities.
Workability International survey
Survey purpose:
“What programs do you have to grow employment of people with
disabilities in the public and private sectors?”
Survey collected information in four areas:
• Quota systems: Public sector
• Quota systems: Private sector
• Preference in public sector for organisations that hire people with
disabilities
• Incentives/subsidies/tax breaks provided to private sector firms that
may hire people with disabilities
Survey participation:
• 18 countries globally
• Workability Asia: Hong Kong, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Japan,
Nepal and Taiwan
www.workability-international.com
Survey results
Public sector
Private Sector:
11 Countries: Procurement of
goods/services from agencies
employing people with
disabilities
5 Countries: Policy or
legislation requiring hiring
people with disabilities
8 Countries: Policy or
legislation requiring hiring
people with disabilities
www.workability-international.com
16 Countries have
Incentives/Subsidy/Tax Breaks
to Firms that Hire People with
Disabilities
Workability International survey
More extensive data in Zero Project Report
• Purpose: Extensive review of worldwide practices implemented to
address needs of people with disabilities
• 82 countries reviewed
• 10 indicators including:
• Promotion of employment in the private sector
• Quota for employment in the public sector
• Several other employment indicators
• Numerous innovative practices
• Practices that support principles of United Nations Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
www.workability-international.com
Workability International survey
What’s next?
• Review Workability International survey and Zero Report
• Take advantage of this International Seminar and any ppportunity
to exchange ideas
• Assess your own programs vs. your changing environment
• Is change needed?
• What degree of risk tolerance do you have?
www.workability-international.com
Workability International global challenge
Workability International challenges all G20 nations to:
Set a goal of a two per cent rise in the
employment participation rate for people
with disabilities by 2019
www.workability-international.com
Workability International global challenge
How do we get there?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Investigate and listen
Use a different lens
Take some risk
View change as opportunity
Keep focus – look long term
Be persistent
“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember…
you haven’t” – Thomas Edison
www.workability-international.com
Workability International global challenge
An example: AbilityOne Program
•
•
•
•
Across the United States
Resulted in 44,000 jobs for people with disability
Achieved an amendment to the Americans with Disability Law
They are successful by:
• Marketing the capabilities of people with disabilities
• Creating partnerships
This challenge can be met.
www.workability-international.com
Questions?
Patrick Maher
President Workability International
Email: patrick.maher@workability-international.org