Ringo Media: October 2017

Monday, October 23, 2017

CBM reinforces the benefits of hiring Persons With Disabilities

BY: LUGIN DORMIDO

Discrimination. Stereotyped. Doubted. These are the common struggles of people with disabilities (PWDs) who are trying to get employment in the mainstream.

To address this problem by raising awareness of the benefits of hiring PWDs, Christoffel Blinden Mission (CBM) opened an Employer’s Forum with the theme, “Work Opportunity, not Charity” on October 19, 2017. The forum aims to connect the bridge of employers to PWDs who have the ability and skill to perform and deliver in the workforce.

CBM is an international Christian development organization committed to improve the quality of life of PWDs in the poorest countries of the world, which is anchored to its core values.

“We want the people with disability to enjoy their rights and stand on their own feet, “said Rainer Guetler, Regional Director of CBM.

Together with its local partners, Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation Inc. (LCDPF), Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), Foundation for These-Abled Persons Inc. (FTI) and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde-Saint Brother Jaime Hilario Institute (DLS-SBJHI), CBM Livelihood Cluster was organized last 2016 to help and support PWDs be economically independent and productive as contributing individuals to the growth of the country.

During the discussion the needs and barriers that PWDs are experiencing as part of their everyday lives were identified. Employers and other service providers were encouraged to give employment opportunities for the PWDs by looking at their qualification and not at their disability.

Mr. Christian Arguelles, an employed person who was born deaf, proved that PWDs have their own skill by earning his college degree with honors.

“We can stand alone. But we would need the love from our families and from other people,” hand signed Arguelles. “Love is the key to understand people with disabilities.”

Accepting the PWDs in the workforce in the country is a long process. But there are efforts through the collaboration of private sectors, NGOs and other LGUs that empowers the right of the PWDs to exercise their abilities in an inclusive, barrier-free workplace wherein they could have a sense of belongingness. This includes educating other employees how to appropriately communicate with PWDs.

CBM and other PWDs supporters continue to raise awareness on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities by promoting inclusion not only in the workplace, but also in the society.