SERVICES in the Disability Inclusion in the Workplace Program of the DMC

Our services and professional activities are aligned with the identified client needs, governing legislative framework and strategic agenda on disability services by:

1. Providing high quality service and awareness on disability matters.

• Keeping abreast of current developments and issues in the disability terrain through research.
• Facilitation of a shared understanding of the broader context within which disability mainstreaming takes place.
  

2. Disability Consulting

• General Disability Advisory and Consultancy Services.
• Disability policies and procedures development.
  
• Sourcing, modification and supply of assistive devices and adjusted equipment for people with disabilities.
  

3. Disability Audits

• Accessibility Assessments
• Any other relevant Policy and processes audits for disability responsiveness
  

4. Training and Development

• Disability Mainstreaming and Workplace Disability Management
• Workplace HIV/Aids Management
  

5. Recruitment & Workplace Disability Management

• Specialized Workforce Recruitment and Workplace Support Services
• Employment Equity Plans (including reasonable accommodation)
  
• Skills Development Plans with specific reference to people with disabilities
  

We tackle disABILITY by focusing on the Ability

The Disability Management Center (DMC) at the ICTIDC administers two groups of programs:

• Disability Inclusive Education and Learning
  
• Disability Inclusion in the Workplace
  

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General Focus: Disability Inclusion

Making sure everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life

to the best of their abilities and desires.

Disability Inclusion is about including people with disabilities in everyday activities and encouraging them to have roles similar to their peers who do not have a disability is disability inclusion. This involves more than simply encouraging people; it requires making sure that adequate policies and practices are in effect in a community or organization. Inclusion should lead to increased participation in socially expected life roles and activities—such as being a student, worker, friend, community member, patient, spouse, partner, or parent. Socially expected activities may also include engaging in social activities, using public resources such as transportation and libraries, moving about within communities, receiving adequate health care, having relationships, and enjoying other day-to-day activities. 

"Disability Inclusive Education and Learning" Program at DMC

In DMC we embrace the idea that the inclusion of all children and young people in education, especially those with disabilities, is imperative because education is both critical for human capital formation and crucial for personal well-being and welfare for all. Excluding children with disabilities from educational and employment opportunities has a negative impact on economies and societies and therefore we work to prevent this exclusion.

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We support educational institutions and organizations to promote and practice inclusive education that provides an opportunity of increased quality education for all through systematic changes in the way learning experience is planned, implemented, and evaluated. 

Our experience shows that inclusive education settings have demonstrated improvement in quality of learning for all learners, as achievement of good learning outcomes for all is the primary objective for all. 

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​​​European Legal Framework for Inclusive Education

and Learning

Inscribed in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (1948), education is a basic right. A range of declarations and conventions highlight the importance of education for people with disabilities: the Salamanca Statement on education and special needs in 1994, as well as article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) adopted in 2006. The importance of education for all is also included in the Convention against Discrimination in Education 1960. In 2015, the Incheon Declaration recalled the importance of inclusive education for all. Targets 4.5 and 4.a call for access to education and the construction of adapted facilities for children with disabilities (Education 2030, 2016).

The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights, and development. The Strategy enables the UN system to support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international human rights instruments

"Disability Inclusion in the Workplace" Program at DMC

​The program promotes the win-win of disability inclusion. Employing people with disabilities makes good business sense for all organizations - now they have greater opportunities than ever before to bring in people with disabilities, as customers and clients, but also as employees and managers. By including people with disabilities, organizations, individuals and society at large all win.

The International Labour Organization points out 5 main benefits of inclusive workplaces:

• Access to talent. By focusing on skills rather than stereotypes, organizations access an untapped pool of talent.
  

• Increased innovation. Employees with diverse experiences have different approaches to problem solving.
  

• Increased engagement and retention. Employees who feel included have higher levels of loyalty and enthusiasm.
  

• Better reputation. Customers value companies that show a real commitment towards inclusion.
  

• Benefits for everyone. Everyone benefits from an inclusive workplace, not just those with a disability.

The Program`s efforts are dedicated to reducing the human and fiscal cost of workplace disability.

The ICTIDC provides consultancy on developing company and organizational strategies for equal opportunity in employing qualified individuals with disabilities and reasonable accommodations in order to hire employees or retain individuals with disabilities.

This is accomplished by:

• Providing education and early intervention services to prevent or minimize the effects of disability in the workplace;
• Facilitating early identification, referral, and treatment for disability and/or injuries at work;
• Assisting employees with disabilities in overcoming disability-related restrictions or limitations;
• Implementing disability rights policy and/or contract provisions regarding return to work, reasonable accommodation, and medical separation;
• Consulting with management, Human Resources, and other relevant staff regarding workplace disability issues.
  

European Legal Framework

The EU and Ireland domestic laws prohibit discrimination against employees or potential employees with disabilities in terms and conditions of employment.

The EU Resolution 2258 (2019) "For a disability-inclusive workforce" of the EU Parliamentary Assembly is widely covering the issue, pointing out that "Throughout Europe, persons with disabilities encounter multiple obstacles with regard to access to and participation in the labour market. Lack of accessibility, prejudice regarding the level of competences, discrimination and the unwillingness of employers to provide reasonable accommodation in the workplace hinder participation in the workforce. The Parliamentary Assembly is convinced that it is time to combat negative attitudes, practices and stereotypes, to dispel the myth according to which persons with disabilities cannot work as efficiently as others, and to highlight abilities instead of disabilities."

A large number of EU policies and documents on disability inclusion in the workplace could be found at the EU portal on Disabilities. 

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