International Trade Union Support Project Carey Ann Clarke
Baligasima Yazidi
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A Partnership Approach Programme Partners People with
Disabilities Disabled Peoples Organisations NOTU National
Organisation of Trade Unions (Uganda) TUICO Tanzania Union of
Industrial & Commercial Workers Disability Aid Abroad (NI)
Employers Trade Union Partners ICTU TUC Unison PSEU INTO IMPACT CWU
ALF-CIO CSTWF Unite NIPSA UTU
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From the Coast to the Hills 674 miles/ 1085km NB: Dublin Rome =
1170
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Status of People with Disabilities in Society Disability viewed
as a curse or contagious 20% of people living on one US Dollar a
day have a disability Just 2% attend secondary education and less
than 1% have finished vocational education Households including
someone with a disability have 60% below average household
consumption 80-90% unemployment rate
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People with Disabilities in Employment Limited access to
vocational education and training Lack equality of opportunity and
integration in community Traditionally self employed or seeking
micro finance Vocational rehabilitation institutions workshop
situations or handicrafts Limited access to formal employment
Limited access to protective rights of Trade Union Little
measurement of progress towards employment Quota
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Initial Barriers to Trade Union employment support Awareness of
disability issues is extremely low Disability is synonymous with
incapacity and unproductive Trade Unionists asked how can we work
for people with disabilities when non-disabled people cannot find
work? Can be an accessible provider of positive case studies
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Working through Trade Unions Access to most formal sector
workplace and collective bargaining power for rights Delivering
Disability Awareness training to trade union officials and members;
Support companies employing persons with disabilities; Training on
disability in the workplace for human resource managers Media
campaigns on the employment of persons with a disability.
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Training & Disability Champions Train the Trainers -
Disability Equality Sessions with people with disabilities Training
on Supported Employment Model Training of Disability Champion
representatives De-mystifying National Disability Legalisation
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A whole new model. Disability Equality promote social model not
charity model Supported Employment model of people with
disabilities in the workplace Union activists (not just disability
activists) to spread the message through the trade union
movement
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Mapping Exercises Use branch system of Trade Union to explore
number of PWDs in membership across whole country Explore existing
support in employment Identify areas and types of disabilities that
need further support Link people with disabilities to employment
and explore local support available
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Working with Union Leadership Some had limited understanding of
the issues facing people View that PWD small minority in workforce
and smaller number inside the Unions Work to reduce defensiveness-
help leadership feel they are not being unduly criticised
Sensitization -Promote positive examples and experiences Secure
budget allocation for work with people with disabilities
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Increasing accessibility of Unions Encourage Unions to work
from a social model perspective Increase understanding through
Workers Education Programmes and sharing best practice Encourage
and strengthen alliances forged among DPOs and Trade Unions
Prioritise the adoption of policies favouring the training and
placement of disabled persons in suitable work, on an equal
platform.
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Union Constitutional Change Individual unions changed
Constitutions articles regarding rights of people with disabilities
Disability Committee established Disability Representation at
National Executive Board Enable mobilization for supported
employment in workplaces
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Working with Employers Disability Training for HR managers
Promote good practice newsletters, Employer of the Year Promote
reasonable adjustments in advertising and interviews Ensure
reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities with employers
Explain government workplace incentives e.g. tax rebate Promote
information on Rights of PWDs in workplaces
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Strengthening & Realising Rights Increased awareness of the
Human Rights of People with disabilities Increased numbers informed
of National Disability Legislation and implementations Decreasing
workplace discrimination Economic empowerment for people with
disabilities Increased inclusion for people with disabilities
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Learning from Experience learn the lessons from our past
experiences this will strengthen our ability Can use trade unions
structures to share positive resolutions Through disability
committees can make recommendations to General Secretary &
National Executive Inclusion of other models e.g. Supported
Employment
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Transferring the Model Continue Partnership building Build
portfolio of successful supported employment examples International
Sharing of learning Strengthen Rights of People with Disabilities
in accessing work, rights in work and inclusion in society
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Future Developments Extend model to other countries in East
African Federation ..Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda Initial Discussion for
work with Ethiopian Trade Unions East African Disability Employment
Conference