Marginalised!

Educators at the Ann Hill School are appealing to the private sector to give people with disabilities and learning impediments the opportunity to work.

This call came on Tuesday during a career showcase at the Pine Plantation Road, St Michael school.

“I would like to see more business houses employ more  students with special needs,” said Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) coordinator at Ann Hill School, Karla Gittens.

“I find that when students are leaving the school we have issues finding jobs for them or even to put them in an institution. Most people do not want to hire students with special needs and that is a very big problem. So, I am appealing to all business houses [and] Government to find more jobs out there for persons with special needs.” Principal of the school Emelda Bell added that people with special needs deserve opportunities to showcase their skills and talents.

“It is so important for our community to embrace persons with special needs. Many times they look at the things they cannot do but we are here to encourage corporate Barbados, businesses [and] entrepreneurs to see what our students can do. Sometimes it just takes a person coming alongside them and working with them to achieve the goals that other persons might be able to do in maybe two or three tries. But when they get it they have it and they are able to work and produce and be a part of the workforce,” she said.

“We signed the [United Nations] Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities but it is a bit dormant, so I would like this to be a part of the wake-up call for all members of society to embrace all persons with special education needs. Come alongside them, work with them and see what they can do.”

In a previous interview with Barbados TODAY, president of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and  Industry Anthony Branker had said the private sector was making efforts to improve employment opportunities for the disabled community.

He had identified Massy Stores as one of the leading businesses creating opportunities for the disabled community, although he acknowledged that others had been slow to follow that company’s lead.

“There are challenges that need to be confronted in terms of infrastructural work that would need to be done to ensure that persons can operate smoothly in these businesses, but it is something that the business community is open to. Persons would not want to disadvantage the disabled community but I think we are a bit slow in terms of making the necessary adjustments to facilitate the disabled community,” Branker said at the time.

At Tuesday’s showcase, the senior students had the opportunity to interact with skilled Barbadians in various fields including, firemen, policemen, disc jockeys, beauticians, chefs, artisans and mixologists.

Gittens said it was a good opportunity for the students to get a sense of the various careers available and to broaden their horizons.

“Students with special needs are very capable and are willing and helpful so, yes, they may have a disability but that doesn’t mean you are not capable. There are many jobs out there but it is just for them to get an opportunity,” added Gittens who said students with special needs and disabilities tend to have a great aptitude for skilled work.

She added that another purpose of the showcase was to show students that they had something valuable to offer to the work environment.

Noting that skilled workers usually owned businesses, Gittens said that was a goal the students could aspire to.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb