In a bid to combat the stereotypes and stigma experienced by people with disability in the labour market, ILO Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN) has launched a worldwide campaign, #InvalidOpinions.
Its aim is to inspire and engage key influencers and business leaders from some of the world’s biggest organisations to get behind the campaign.
People with disabilities make up an estimated one billion, or 15 per cent of the world’s population with about 80 per cent of working age. Yet the right of people with disabilities to decent work is frequently denied, leading to a disproportionate number being excluded from the labour market.
The #InvalidOpinions campaign is designed to encourage everyone to think differently about disability. It aims to highlight individuals who are defying these ‘invalid opinions’ every day to influence hiring decisions and to break the cycle. It asks the viewer to confront their own beliefs and misconceptions that might be inadvertently contributing to individuals being held back in the world of work.
A campaign ‘pitch package’ is available from the ILO website, including key messages, videos, suggested social media posts and other engagement ideas. Organisations are also encouraged to localise and amplify the campaign through their own channels and networks. In addition, the Australian Network on Disability provides guidance on inclusive language and terminology in an Australian context in its Inclusive Language Factsheet.
Culture, legislation and history all play a role in creating barriers to employment. But, at their highest level, these barriers come down to a set of beliefs and opinions held by others about what people with disabilities can and can’t do.
According to GBDN, everyone has an opinion, and makes generalisations and assumptions about people with disability, and many of these opinions are invalid and assumptions are wrong, largely based on myths, fear and a lack of knowledge.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO DOWNLOADS: http://www.businessanddisability.org/invalidopinions/
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