UN Secretary General Encourages Employment of Disabled People
Secretary-General
SG/SM/11305
HR/4934
OBV/673
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS, SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGES PLEDGE
BY ALL TO ENSURE DISABLED PERSONS’ FULL PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY LIFE
Following is the text of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December:
This year’s International Day of Disabled Persons focuses on the goal of decent work for persons with disabilities, and reminds us that every person deserves opportunities for productive employment inconditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.
Persons with disabilities are deprived of adequate employment opportunities in nearly every society. Estimates show that at least half of all disabled people in developed nations, and the vast majority of those with disabilities in developing countries, are unemployed. Most others are underemployed, or will never have full access to the labour market. This situation is deplorable.
Persons with disabilities have the ability to make valuable contributions in the workforce as employees, entrepreneurs and employers. But they face numerous barriers that prevent them from fulfilling their potential. Early in life, they encounter difficulties gaining access to an education or acquisition of employable skills. Later on, fears and prejudices about their abilities deny them the work opportunities available to others. Inaccessible workplaces, explicit and implicit discriminatory legislation and practices, and unfavourable work conditions pose additional hurdles.
Yet, whenever the opportunity arises, persons with disabilities prove their worth as productive members of the workforce. That is why more and more employers are slowly coming to the realization that employing persons with disabilities makes good sense. Changing workplace environments and advances in information and communications technology are also giving persons with disabilities new avenues for seeking decent work.
Most States do not have legislation protecting persons with disabilities in the workplace. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is expected to enter into force early next year, recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to work and employment on an equal basis with others. It stresses their right to earn a living from freely chosen work, and to work in an environment that is both accessible and accepting.
On this International Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to seeking equal rights for all, and let us pledge to ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in the lives of their communities.
The text for this blog post is taken from a press release from the United Nations. The United Nations has a web page on the International Day of Disabled Persons. Also see what the International Labour Organization (ILO) did to celebrate the day and review their resources.
More information about the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is available at the UN Enable web site. Information about a global campaign to ratify the convention is at the RatifyNow web site.
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I am proud to inform you sir i am 90& partialy blind person and total colour blind.i am graduate,i like to any job opperchunitty my age 45,any honerable person in UK london i am indian please help me any job opperchunity
ramadurai
5 July 2008
ramaduri: Thank you for your interest.
Unfortunately, I am unable to assist with your inquiry. We Can Do is not an organization and does not have any resources whatsoever (except for a little internet bandwidth). I edit and write blog posts for We Can Do entirely in my own personal free time in my own capacity, in what free time I have left outside of work, school studies, and volunteer activities.
On rare occasions I do post a job announcement if and when I happen to receive one. You can monitor We Can Do for these (or subscribe to the blog to ensure that you learn of them right away–let me know if you want to subscribe). However, applications would then need to be sent directly to the employer in accordance to the instructions in the announcement, not to We Can Do.
Andrea Shettle, MSW
8 July 2008