People with disability are underrepresented in the labour market. The World Bank organized an e-discussion to generate input that can help the inclusion of people with disabilities. Invitations were sent to more than 3900 contacts worldwide, including disability-related networks of academics, NGOs, Disabled People Organizations (DPOs) and the Employers Forum. The e-discussion was structured around the following themes: the supply side, the demand side, the intermediaries and the role of policymakers. The major issues discussed were the following: a) society’s perception of people with disabilities, b) the educational system, c) governmental policies, d) the role of intermediaries. Society’s perception of people with disabilities: due to misperceptions about disability, employers assume that a people with disabilities is unable to handle the competitive work environment, and that hiring people with disabilities results in higher costs for the company. The educational system: the lack of skills among people with disabilities points to weaknesses in the educational system. The failings refer to the lack of an inclusive education system, and its incapacity to implement programs aimed at advising students regarding their course of study and career path. Governmental policies: they are based on some forms of positive discrimination that are not effective. The role of intermediaries: the low employment rate of people with disabilities can be attributed to market inefficiencies. Intermediaries play a crucial role in helping people with disabilities and employers connect, but often they lack the understanding and skills to make a difference. The results indicate that the solution lies in empowering people with disabilities. If given greater control of resources for this purpose and allowed to devise solutions to their challenges, people with disabilities, themselves, are best equipped to mediate supply and demand and devise corrections.
What do people think about disabled youth and employment in developing and developed countries? Results from an e-discussion hosted by the World Bank
TARRICONE, ROSANNA;
2006
Abstract
People with disability are underrepresented in the labour market. The World Bank organized an e-discussion to generate input that can help the inclusion of people with disabilities. Invitations were sent to more than 3900 contacts worldwide, including disability-related networks of academics, NGOs, Disabled People Organizations (DPOs) and the Employers Forum. The e-discussion was structured around the following themes: the supply side, the demand side, the intermediaries and the role of policymakers. The major issues discussed were the following: a) society’s perception of people with disabilities, b) the educational system, c) governmental policies, d) the role of intermediaries. Society’s perception of people with disabilities: due to misperceptions about disability, employers assume that a people with disabilities is unable to handle the competitive work environment, and that hiring people with disabilities results in higher costs for the company. The educational system: the lack of skills among people with disabilities points to weaknesses in the educational system. The failings refer to the lack of an inclusive education system, and its incapacity to implement programs aimed at advising students regarding their course of study and career path. Governmental policies: they are based on some forms of positive discrimination that are not effective. The role of intermediaries: the low employment rate of people with disabilities can be attributed to market inefficiencies. Intermediaries play a crucial role in helping people with disabilities and employers connect, but often they lack the understanding and skills to make a difference. The results indicate that the solution lies in empowering people with disabilities. If given greater control of resources for this purpose and allowed to devise solutions to their challenges, people with disabilities, themselves, are best equipped to mediate supply and demand and devise corrections.
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