Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway, has said that people with disabilities must be supported, so that they can play an active role in the workforce.
Senator Conway gave the opening address at the Mid-West Disability Inclusion Forum’s, ‘Disability Inclusion Recruitment and Employment Seminar’, at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick on Tuesday.
“The establishment of the forum is timely in light of the publication of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities late last year. The strategy aims to help people with disabilities play an active part in our workforce. The focus is on building skills, capacity and independence; providing bridges and support to enter work; making work pay; promoting job retention and re-entry to work; providing coordinated and seamless support and engaging with employers.
He continued “We must now recognise the strong business case for the employment of people with disabilities. The greater accessibility of recruitment and selection processes allows for access to an expanded talent pool, at a time when some roles are hard to fill. Increased diversity in the workforce also sends a positive signal to your customers with disabilities and can lead to an increased market share.
“As people with disabilities are only half as likely to be in employment as others of working age, it’s clear that more work is now needed by employers, government departments and disability organisations to ensure people with disabilities can participate more fully in the labour market.
“People with disabilities want a level playing pitch to access employment and in order for people to achieve their fullest potential this opportunity must be created in the employment market. Having access to gainful employment is a right. True integration, respect and diversity in the workplace can be achieved by developing a culture of recognising the potential of people with disabilities” the Clare Senator concluded.