International Seminar Update on Employment of People with Disabilities Patrick Maher President...

International Seminar

Update on Employment ofPeople with Disabilities

Patrick MaherPresident Workability InternationalEmail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

www.workability-international.com

What we will cover

• Workability International• Global perspectives on

disability employment• The Workability

International survey• The Workability

International global challenge


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.


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


Global perspectives on disability employment

“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.”

Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on theRights of Persons with Disabilities recognises:

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 procurementprograms

Programs are being rolled out globally that promote government departments procuring services from disability workshops, creating employment for people with disabilities.


Survey purpose:“What programs do you have to grow employment of people with disabilities in the public and private sectors?”

Workability International survey

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


Survey results

Public sector

11 Countries: Procurement of goods/services from agencies employing people with disabilities

8 Countries: Policy or legislation requiring hiring people with disabilities

Private Sector:

5 Countries: Policy or legislation requiring hiring people with disabilities

16 Countries have Incentives/Subsidy/Tax Breaks to Firms that Hire People with Disabilities


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



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?



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



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



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.

Questions?

Patrick MaherPresident Workability InternationalEmail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

International Seminar Update on Employment of People with Disabilities Patrick Maher President...

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