The nexus between Disability, Education and Employment
July 1, 2011 United Nations (UN) Headquarters NY: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) held a panel discussion on the relationship between disability, education and employment. Based on findings from recent studies in North America and Asia, the panelists highlighted the moral and social imperatives of including persons with disabilities in the labor market, as well as how it makes good economics to do so.
The discussion emphasized the interdependence of disability, education and employment, and pointed out how the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) advocates vocational training, self employment and reasonable accommodations in the work place. Possible solutions to the high level of unemployment among persons with disabilities were presented and featured investing in inclusive economic development, recognizing and addressing the gender gap, protection against discrimination, promoting employer incentives for inclusive hiring, promoting inclusive financial services, capturing and building off of good practice examples, and greater vocational training and educational opportunities for persons with disabilities. Other topics addressed were Research on Economy and Disability and Disability, Education and Employment in Nepal both topics where presented by the University of Tokyo.
RI would like to stress the importance of inclusive education and labor programs and that it is working through the RI Commission on Work and Employment to deliver trainings, produce information and encourage return to work programs, promote the transition from education to employment for persons with disabilities, and illustrate the economic stability of an inclusive labor market. RI is also running programming in India providing vocational and marketing training, assistance with establishing small business and obtaining micro-credit, as well as capacity building around the CRPD for women with disabilities.
For more information on the work RI is doing, the Work and Employment Commission or our project in India, please contact us at Denne e-postadressen er beskyttet mot programmer som samler e-postadresser. Du må aktivere JavaScript for å kunne se adressen , by phone 212-420-1500 or visit the RI website at www.riglobal.org .
About RI: Founded in 1922, Rehabilitation International (RI) is a worldwide network of people with disabilities, service providers, government agencies, academics, researchers and advocates working to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. With member organizations in 100 countries and in all regions of the world, RI provides a forum for the exchange of experience and information on research and practice.
It takes pride in having developed the International Symbol of Access in 1969,
which is said to be one of the five most recognized signs in the world today.
