Decent work is for everyone – including People with Disabilities Christy Lynch Marion Wilkinson

Comprehensive Employment Strategy - Policy background Sectoral Plan 2006 NDA paper – A Strategy of Engagement Work of interdepartmental group + consultative forum on employment of pwd Transfer of functions National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan – pwd have access to jobs Review of Adult Day Services – New Directions

UN Convention on Disability Article 27 Right to work, on an equal basis with others Effective access to vocational guidance, placement, and training Promote employment through affirmative action and other measures Provide reasonable accommodation at work Promote work experience in open labour market

Low participation in work People with disabilities are only half as likely to have a job Strong link between education and employment Strong link between no job and poverty 60% of people with disabilities not working are restricted in type or amount of work they can do But 15% of those who have difficulty working are in a job

Employment rates 2011 aged 20 to 64

Vision - draft People with disabilities can get a job and enjoy a rewarding career Focus Lifecycle focus – from birth, through school, into adult life. People with disability from birth + those with acquired disabilities

Values 1- People with disabilities are enabled to have jobs, earn a living and make a contribution People with disabilities are supported to maximise their potential The focus is on a person’s capacity not their incapacity The strategy covers people across the spectrum of disability

Values 2 – It pays to have a job People with disabilities get the supports they need to work Support systems that cross departmental or agency boundaries are mutually coherent and provide a joined-up system and joined-up pathways Actions in this Strategy are built into the mainstream national employment strategy

Draft strategic priorities SP1 Build skills, capacity and independence SP2 Provide bridges and supports into work SP3 Make work pay SP4 Promote job retention and re-entry to work SP5 Provide co-ordinated and seamless support SP6 Engage employers

ICTU - Specific actions Suggestions from today, –Top priorities under the which strategic priority? What is the role that trade unions can play? Specific actions under the return to work/ job retention priority? Recruitment of people with disabilities in the public service – post embargo? ideas