The Human Rights view
In this podcast, produced by Lois Strachan and the second of four episodes, Jeremy Opperman continues on his trinocular theme of needing to look at the employment of persons with disabilities with perspective. Taking into account not just the legislative requirement to employ people with disability but for employers to look through two other lenses as well – the human rights lens and the business case lens – if they wish to get a fuller more realistic and practical handle on disability inclusion. Jeremy, with his frank and anecdotal style takes us through a reality check of the Human Rights view of disability.
He explains that, unless employers understand some of the barrier-laden issues impacting disability inclusion, they can’t fully appreciate the challenges and potential of disability equity. The issues that he elaborates upon include the actual numbers of persons with disabilities, the unemployment rate, the complex equation between those born with disabilities versus those with later onset disability, in the context of education, training and work experience. He also unpacks the dangers of stereotyping and the challenges of inaccessibility as it relates to employment.
In the next episode Jeremy will deal with the best kept secret of all… the business case view, and how we overlook viewing people with disabilities as consumers.