The United Nations has launched a new initiative aimed at assisting persons with disabilities across the Caribbean gain greater access to employment opportunities.
The ‘HireAbility Campaign’ has been launched under the theme ‘Break Barriers. Embrace Inclusion. Champion Rights’.
The regional initiative, which promotes disability-inclusive employment and advances the economic participation of persons with disabilities, has attracted support from leading businesses, with some having committed to equitable hiring practices and workplace cultures, through a Disability Inclusive Employer’s Pledge.
The ‘HireAbility Campaign’ connects six UN Country Teams in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, and brings together governments, employers, organisations of persons with disabilities, youth advocates, development partners and UN agencies.
United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springett, described the initiative as ‘an important milestone for disability inclusion across the Caribbean’.
He said it evolved from ‘a powerful idea advanced by Zinzee Noel, a youth advocate and Grenada’s representative on the UN Youth Advisory Group (YAG), to a Caribbean movement for inclusive employment and equal opportunity.
‘Although barriers differ across countries, the aspiration is universal: persons with disabilities must be able to participate fully in society, access decent work, contribute their talents and skills, and be recognized for those contributions,’ Springett said.
He has thanked disability advocates, employers, and Caribbean businesses, including Massy Stores St. Lucia, Grenada Broadcasting Network, and photography and videography companies Unique Productions Inc. and Bajanpro Inc. of Grenada and Barbados for their leadership and support.
Springett also urged stakeholders to view the campaign not as a one-time event, but as part of a sustained journey toward accessible workplaces and more inclusive communities.
Deputy Director of the International Labour Organization Caribbean Office, Thomas Kring, told the launch that access to decent work is not charity.
‘It’s about rights, dignity, equality and economic participation,’ King said urging that labour markets markets must provide persons with disabilities with fair opportunities to develop their skills, find decent work and contribute fully to society.
He escribed the Inclusive Employer Pledge as a public commitment to equitable hiring, dignity, respect and equal opportunity.
Among the highlights of the launch was the signing of the Disability Inclusive Employer Pledge, by representatives of Carenage Bay Holding Ltd in Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Runman Belize Corporation; and The Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited. Signatories also outlined concrete actions being taken to fulfil this public commitment, including plans by the Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited to launch an internship programme for persons with disabilities.
The HireAbility Campaign will continue over the next four months and culminate on International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 providing more employers with the opportunity to sign the pledge.
The UN said that the campaign’s ultimate goal is a Caribbean where talent is recognised, barriers are removed, and persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally in the world of work.