Jobs-ODF l Equal employment opportunities

Over 300 employment opportunities were available for persons with disabilities at the Disability Awareness and Job Fair 2008, held earlier today.

The fair aims to raise awareness and encourage persons with disabilities to take ownership of their employability by tapping on the available resources in the community.

Employment not only provides financial support to oneself, but it also gives a sense of pride and motivates oneself to continue working.

And this applies to persons with disabilities as well - they can still contribute to society, companies and the workforce.

Though some may not be able to work due to physical limitations or social barriers, there are certain jobs available for them, depending on the extent of their disability.

Mr Satyaprakash Tiwari, Executive Director of the Disability Information and Referral Centre elaborates.

"I think it depends on their abilities because we will definitely not ask them to do a manual work, but if they are good in their other skills so we still look at what are the skills that they can provide. So for example, they could be more in the IT side, office, administration and they could also do telemarketing and those who are intellectually disabled who are more abled, they could do more packaging work, or cleaner's job or even hotel industry."

Besides employment opportunities, the fair provides training opportunities to get them ready to enter the workforce in future.

Also present at the fair was Mayor of Central Singapore District and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Mr Zainudin Nordin.

"Employment is very important as it enables persons with disabilities to achieve independent living as well as integration into society. Given the necessary adjustments to the workplace and work culture, and the right training, and of course job re-design, they would also be able to make valuable contributions."

More employers should adopt a more inclusive attitude of people from all different backgrounds, including those with disabilities, says Mr Jeff McLean, HR Manager of United Parcel Service Singapore.

He feels these unique individuals are an asset, rather than a liability, to their company.

"In my experience, employees who are people with disabilities are more loyal, and reduced absenteeism than the standard average within the workforce because the employment is so much more important to them."