Disability Summit teamed up with Work Expo 2020 to host the 9th annual Workplace Readiness Programme
The virtual event, which hosted 9 schools, 6 of which were from Gauteng, aimed to prepare learners with disabilities for life after school.
After initial failure, South Africa has upped the fight for inclusive education in recent years. The government and various organizations have made strides towards improving an education system that has, for the most part, failed to cater to the disabled.
Improvements included the adoption of a national curriculum for South African Sign Language and 2012’s The Workbook Project to name a few. However, challenges such as stigma and the marginalization of disabled people still lurk in the shadows of society, and consequently, into the workplace.
It is for these reasons, and more, that the Disability Summit teamed up with Work Expo 2020 to host the 9th annual Workplace Readiness Programme. The virtual event, which hosted 9 schools, 6 of which were from Gauteng, aimed to prepare learners with disabilities for life after school.
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“As part of the annual Disability Summit, now in its 9th year, this Work Readiness Programme provides an opportunity to inspire, inform, motivate, and educate. It also enables South African corporates to network, share challenges and opportunities discuss industry best practices and define a fully inclusive path forward for disability in the workplace,” said Paddy Slattery, founder of the Mandeville Disability Swimming Centre of Excellence, who also started the Disability Summit, organized by Creative Space Media.
The programme included inspirational talks South African Entrepreneurs within the disability space. L`earners were treated to an extended and in-depth guide on the road to success. Tips ranged from navigating tertiary education to entering the workplace. Speakers such as Duncan Yates, from Wits University, gave tips on how to manage post-varsity life, while Tarryn Mason from Progression Recruitment, advised on how learners may improve their CV’s once they are in the job search market.
eDeaf, one of the sponsors of the event ensured that all information on the day was translated by sign language interpreters.
Phami Kunene, said being a parent to a deaf 7-year-old, she was proud to see an initiative like this include township schools.
“It’s a step in the right direction, “she said.
“We’d like to see more of these initiatives, especially in the townships where disabled kids are still looked at, and sometimes treated differently.”
Other sponsors included Citadel, Barloworld, Armscor, Massmart, and Telkom. Learners also went home with goodie bags containing refreshments and stationery which were donated by Bidvest Waltons, CCBSA, and Spar. The event was also in honor of Disability Rights Awareness Month, which is observed annually in November to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
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