The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment are delighted to officially launch the ‘Making it Work’ publication today.
The new publication highlights the individual experiences of six disabled people who sought employment support services from a range of organisations to help them secure and retain employment. All of those who participated in this project have worked or trained in Northern Ireland throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, some as key workers.
Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission said: “Our ‘Making it Work’ booklet highlights the much needed skills and abilities that disabled people can offer to our workforce and the employment support services that are available to them to help them into work.
“The individual stories used throughout the publication highlight the positive action and reasonable adjustments that some employers have put in place to ensure disabled people can thrive in their jobs. The stories included are real and personal and they will be used in new training sessions for employment advisors which will be delivered in partnership by colleagues from the Commission, Department for Communities, NIUSE and organisations from across the disability sector, the sessions start this week.
“I hope these real life experiences inspire others, individuals, advisors and employers, to enhance our workforce with more and better jobs for disabled people.”
Norman Sterritt, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment also commented on the campaign and said: “We haveworked closely with the Equality Commission and organisations which offer Supported Employment services to produce this publication. We fully welcome their support and input to highlight the positive case studies and range of employment support services available across Northern Ireland.
“We know that employing people with disabilities makes good business sense, not only are employers getting an employee with the skills and abilities to do the job but they are increasing diversity and reflecting their local communities in the workplace. We hope this publication and its directory will be widely used to ensure that disabled people are given the same opportunities to access, maintain and progress in employment.”
The ‘Making it Work’ booklet is available online.
