$ 1.94 trillion untapped globally due to disability

by Surekha Galagoda

There are 470 million disabled people in the world who are of working age and most of them are unemployed, said Country Director ILO Tine Stearmose at the launch of the Handbook on Barrier Free Access. It is a community service initiative by Standard Chartered Bank.

She said that though some are employed they are underpaid and are given low level jobs.

Eighty-five percent of the disabled people live in rural areas in the developing countries which is a reason for them to be underpaid and given low level jobs.

Ms. Stearmose said that globally there is an untapped potential of US$ 1.94 trillion due to disability which should be tapped and used for the betterment of society.

Resident Coordinator United Nations Neil Buhne said that 10% of the population are physically handicapped and they should be supported to get about in life. Corporates should not only provide funds but should also prove that they can support people with physical disabilities by taking initiatives such as this.

CEO Standard Chartered Bank Clive Haswell said that launching the handbook was a great step forward to help employers to make their workplaces more accessible. It is a small but significant contribution and hope that it will help change attitudes .

Director General Employers Federation of Ceylon Ravi Peiris said that the purpose of the book is to provide the employment sector in Sri Lanka within the built environment to enable people with disabilities to integrate into the workforce.

He said that Government legislation is now in place which compels organisations to incorporate accessibility features into their new constructions while allowing for a time line in which existing buildings must be appropriately modified. With the publication of the handbook individual organisations have been spared the leg work, said Peiris.

He said that EFC was involved in employment related training as well as employing the disabled with the help of the corporates. Already we have been able to provide 250 employment opportunities in the private sector.

EFC also inaugurated the setting up of the Responsible Business Initiatives Unit which will bring together all current activities of the EFC falling within the umbrella of Social Responsibility/Good Business Practices.

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