Irish sprint runner and Paralympics 2012 Gold medallist winner Jason Smyth will be the guest speaker at a Derry City Council event for local businesses and individuals aimed at breaking down the barriers which currently exist for disabled people accessing the workplace.
Jason Smyth
“Working Towards Inclusion,” taking place in the city’s Guildhall on Tuesday next, June, is mainly targeted at businesses in the local area, but is also open to the public, and includes a series of workshops which will deal with the issues that people who have a disability face when trying to access volunteering or employment opportunities.
Offering sessions on employers’ legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the event will provide direction to employers who take a positive approach and operate effective policies and programmes with substantial business benefits.
Organisations involved in the event include Cedar Foundation, Mencap, Liberty Consortium, Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, AMH – New Horizons Foyle, Something Special and Tuned In who are working in partnership with Derry City Council to help achieve social inclusion for disabled people.
Kay McIvor, Equality Officer with Derry City Council, said the event was the perfect opportunity for employers and voluntary organisations to learn about opening their workplace to all individuals.
“Carrying out paid or voluntary work experience has been proven to boost self-esteem and fosters independence, and as well as making life much more interesting and paying the bills, it is a right which belongs to every single individual. Sometimes this right may prove harder for some individuals such as those people with a disability who may not always offer the right opportunities to realise their potential.”
Starting at 11.00am, the morning event will last until approximately 1.45pm when a light buffet lunch will be provided and the opportunity to network with the representative groups and other invited guests.
Registration for the event is essential, so contact Kay McIvor at [email protected] or telephone 028 71 365151 Ext 6705.
Tags: