On Thursday, 22 June, employers and employment professionals join us for a virtual Employment Workshop. The event offers QASA the opportunity to educate employers on disability, advocate for the employment of people with disabilities, and identify businesses that can partner with QASA on its Work Readiness Programme.
The event started with a welcome and introduction by our general manager, Richard Barron. He shared some of his own journey as a person with a disability, how the organisation assisted him, and what the future of the organisation looks like.
Lesa Bradshaw, managing member Bradshaw LeRoux (Disability Inclusion Specialists), discussed reasonable accommodation. She discussed the benefits of employing people with disabilities, shared the mistakes employers are currently making and suggested some new ways of approaching disability inclusion.
She specifically highlighted the need for employers to view people with disabilities as individuals with their own unique abilities and challenges. She noted: “If we decide what a person with a particular disability can do, we ignore the abilities of the individuals.”
She explained that people with disabilities might have the same diagnosis or disability by definition, but each person has their own unique experience. For example, both individuals might be deaf, but one can lip read while the other uses sign language. Their abilities and limitations will differ. Thus, the accommodations that each require will also be unique.
Anthony Ghillino, general manager of the QAWC, spoke about disability sensitisation with the dos, don’ts, myths and advice for engaging with people with disabilities. He used his own experiences to demonstrate the correct way to engage with people with disabilities, as well as the challenges still facing the community.
Dhaneshree Naidoo, QASA recruitment officer, shared information on the QASA Work Readiness Programme. The two-month, online programme equips QASA members with the necessary soft skills to succeed in the formal work environment.
Sandile Mthembu, an alumni from the programme, was the final speaker at the workshop. He shared his personal journey with the programme, which led to his employment at Alexforbes South Africa. Sandile explained how the employment opportunity improved his quality and outlook on life. He is now thriving and building to an even greater future.
To read more about past workshops, click here. For more information on the Dos and Don’ts of engaging with people with disabilities, read out Sawubona booklet.