The Motivation Charitable Trust (MCT), UK recently recognized over 80 public and private sector companies for their commitment towards building an inclusive workforce at an awards ceremony held at the BMICH.  This was done through the Sri Lanka Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (SLFRD – Colombo) together with four partner organizations – Jaffna [...]

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Achieving economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities

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The Motivation Charitable Trust (MCT), UK recently recognized over 80 public and private sector companies for their commitment towards building an inclusive workforce at an awards ceremony held at the BMICH.  This was done through the Sri Lanka Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (SLFRD – Colombo) together with four partner organizations – Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR), Centre for Handicapped (CFH) Kandy,  Navajeevana Tangalle and Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Handicapped (ORHAN) Vavuniya, according to an MCT media statement.

It said the event was graced by Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena – Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Governor of the Central Bank. More than 1000 disable individuals were provided with employment in over 80 organizations further enabling a society of inclusion. The organizers awarded 8 Gold, 20 Silver, 11 Bronze Awards and 29 plaques to the public and private companies, honouring the commitment and contribution made for an inclusive society, the statement added.

“The project funded by the United States International Agency for International Development (USAID), addresses the cycle of poverty and disability and the extreme exclusion of people with disabilities by mainstreaming these individuals into formal employment, vocational training and microfinance services,” it said.

Sqn. Ldr. Cyril Siriwardana – Project Manager  ESSP, noted, “The target beneficiaries of the project include individuals with physical, visual and hearing impairments. These beneficiaries will include people seeking both formal employment in local factories or businesses and informal employment through their own microenterprises”.

SLFRD with the four partners was involved with the preliminary assessments and training provided throughout the implementation phase to the end. The initial assessment included encouraging employers, physical  accessibility of the enterprise, the change of company policies to include disability friendly policies, changing attitude of other workforce and thought process were taken in to consideration. Necessary training and skills development programs were also organized further empowering the individuals as well as the employers.




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