Conference on Access to Employment for Persons with Disabilities @ Mauritius

 
Access to Employment: A Legitimate Right for Persons with Disabilities was  the theme of a conference which the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions, in collaboration with the Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Boards and the British High Commission,  organised  on 27 and 28 February 2013 at Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebène. 
 

The two-day conference was  focus on new trends and strategies in the employment of persons with disabilities, by both local and international consultants in the field of disability.

Speaking at a press conference few days back  in Port Louis in the presence of the British High Commissioner, Mr. Nick Leake, the Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions, Mrs. Sheila Bappoo, said that the conference will act as a platform to enhance awareness of the need for employers to create more employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. This would motivate employers to recruit more persons with disabilities, she said. 

The Minister recalled that a dynamic database on disability has been set up with the help of the United Nations Development Programme and as at now, some 8 000 entries have been made. She further stated that the Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Board has trained some 600 persons with disabilities, and 484 have already been placed in employment.

With regard to Service to Mauritius Programme which offers placement to new graduates, the Minister pointed out that consideration has been given those graduates with disabilities. Fifteen of them have already been enlisted, she said.

For his part, Mr. Leake recalled that there are significant barriers to overcome in order to unlock the full potential of persons with disabilities. Access to employment is one of the barriers that need to be removed so that all people can become fully participating members of society and be able to succeed based on merit.

Representatives of Remploy UK will act as resource persons for the conference and share their experiences with their Mauritian counterparts. Remploy’s mission is to transform the lives of disabled people and those who experience complex barriers to work by providing sustainable employment opportunities.

 

 

Source : Gov.Mu ( Few  points  are edited  )  , 25th feb 2013 )