22 gairrhydd
DECEMBER.03.2007
FEATURES
FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM
Awareness in
the Internationa of Disabled Pers D
id you know that the International Day of Disabled Persons is a global event taking place on December 3rd every year? No, probably not, neither did I until recently. So why is such a worthy cause neglected by the press? And why is it largely unheard of, even to people with disabilities? The theme for this year’s event is ‘Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities’. The day aims to focus on how to ensure decent work for persons with disabilities. It also aims to improve ways to tap into the abilities of this marginalized talent pool. The recently adopted Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes in Article 27 the rights of persons with disabilities to work and employment on an equal basis with others. It stresses the right of persons with disabilities to earn a living from freely chosen work, and to work in an environment that is both accessible and accepting. Despite such legislation it is a fact that employers often resist employing a person with disabilities believing they will be unable to perform their roles and
that it would be too expensive. This attitude is rooted in fear and stereotyping, focusing more on the disability than on the abilities of the individual. In most countries up to 80% of people with disabilities of working age are
The usual damp squib, greeted with a massive display of apathy by the world unemployed. All too often people with disabilities are dependent upon begging, hand-outs, and welfare for their livelihood, not through any meaningful employment. The denial of opportunities and negative attitudes are the main reasons why people with disabilities are absent from the workforce. The United Nations Headquarters have produced empirical evidence that shows people with disabilities have higher performance ratings as well as
better attendance records than their colleagues without disabilities. In addition, the cost of accommodating workers with disabilities can be minimal. Studies have shown that there are other benefits to employers of persons with disabilities, such as improved workforce morale and increased customer goodwill. It is appalling that many countries do not have legislation to promote and protect the rights of workers with disabilities. This makes discrimination on the grounds of disability legitimate and further hinders people with disabilities from entering the labour market. However, the discrimination often begins a lot earlier in life, when people with disabilities are denied other opportunities that would aid their inclusion into the workforce, such as education or training in employable skills, accessible transportation to get to work, and accessible workplaces. So what is the International Day of Disabled Persons actually doing to raise awareness and improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities? The disappointing answer is not a
lot. There is a huge focus on ‘looking’ at new ways of including people with disabilities in the work force but little direct action. This explains the lack of press coverage and the general lack of knowledge surrounding the day. Ian Cook, a freelance journalist who has MS, is a frequent contributor to BBC’s specialist disability website ‘Ouch’. He is unimpressed with the International Day of Disabled Persons efforts: ‘This year’s United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons on December 3 will probably be the usual damp squib, greeted with a massive display of apathy by the world and its media. Most disabled people will probably be indifferent at best’. Cook sums up the event as ‘being worthy but boring’. However, there is hope for this year’s event. Aardman Animations, the team behind Wallace and Gromit and Creature Comforts have unveiled six new characters all with disabilities. Peg the Hedgehog, Slim the Stick Insect, Flash the Sausage Dog, Tim the Tortoise, Spud the Slug and Brian the Bull Terrier will feature in print adverts this week
and in a TV campaign from January. The animals are part of a campaign by the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity to highlight the discrimination faced by disabled people. Disabled people from Cardiff in the Leonard Cheshire home in the Radyr area have lent their voices to the new animated characters. The characters are all voiced by disabled people. Each of the short films end with the message: “Change the way you see disability.” Alex Milhaly, 57, is the voice behind Flash the Sausage Dog. At the age of
Disability is seen as a social issue, which is not based on medical reasons 32, Mr Milhaly had a fall at work which damaged his spine. Now a wheelchair user, Mr Milhaly uses a number of computerised aids to help him at home. “I’d just like people to realise that