Enable Ireland Calls on Employers to Accommodate People with Disabilities Through Assistive Technology
Sisters Louise and Avril O'Brien at the Enable Ireland Graduation
Dublin: 19 October, 2006 - Enable Ireland today called on employers to accommodate and consider people with disabilities for employment opportunities. It also encouraged more people with disabilities to take part in Assistive Technology Training Courses at the Microsoft hosted graduation ceremony of the 2006 AT Training Course. 21 graduates were awarded with their certificates today, bringing the total number to 117 after six years.
Unemployment rates among people with disabilities are over 60%, compared with less than five per cent for the rest of the population. 85% of working-age disability is acquired, but only half of employers are aware of grants available to employ disabled people. For private sector companies there are FAS grants for up to €15,000 to support the reintegration of a disabled worker into the workplace and grants of up to €6,300 towards adapting the workplace.
The key aim of the training programme, part-funded by Microsoft, is to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities at work, in education and in society. Hi Tech Assistive Technology is the use of mainstream technology by people with disabilities to aid communication, mobility and independent living. It is revolutionising the way people with disabilities can access the opportunities and resources in education and employment.
Microsoft partnered with Enable Ireland six years ago to establish an Assistive Technology Programme. Both organisations have continued to work together to help improve access to and understanding of Assistive Technology. In addition to financial support, Microsoft has also worked closely with Enable Ireland to develop long-term strategies for the area of assistive technology. Microsoft employees have also volunteered their time to help with a range of operational activities, including the development of the organisation’s website.
Brendan Smith, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food congratulated the graduates saying, “Receiving accreditation today is a great achievement for you all; however, the certification is only the beginning as the skills you have acquired should help open up a range of opportunities for you on whatever path you chose to follow. I would like to commend Microsoft and Enable Ireland on the great partnership that they have in place. Together they are helping to raise the level of skills in assistive technology in Ireland and are helping to raise awareness of the abilities that people have rather than focusing on disabilities. Congratulations to both organisations on an innovative and effective partnership.”
Speaking at the event, Siobhan Long, Manager, National Hi Tech Assistive Technology Training Service, Enable Ireland said, “We are calling on employers to make themselves aware of the advantages of assistive technology when employing people with disabilities. The high level of unemployment among people with disabilities is needless and the low cost of AT to an employer means that there is no argument against its adoption. Because a high proportion of disability is acquired late in life, it is important to have strategies to keep people in work after the onset of a disability. One such strategy is of course, Assistive Technology. Microsoft has helped us develop the programme, allowing us to bring its benefits to more people. We would also encourage people with disabilities to take part in the courses to give themselves the greater independence that assistive technology can provide.”
Tom Murphy, Microsoft Ireland noted, “Assistive technology covers everything from door openers to remote controls, communications aids and computer-based software and hardware. Unfortunately, whilst these tools can make a major impact on people with disabilities, it is estimated that as much as 75% of assistive technology can be abandoned by users, due to lack of training and support. Enable Ireland’s AT training services ensure that people get full training in assistive technology, allowing them access to further education, to employment opportunities and the opportunity of independent living. We’re very proud of our partnership with Enable Ireland and it’s benefiting both companies. For example, Enable Ireland are providing us with feedback that is shaping the accessibility features of our future products which in turn can aid people with disabilities in gaining greater access to employment and education.”
In 2000 Enable Ireland identified a significant need amongst its stakeholders for the provision of training in the uses of Assistive Technology. Through the partnership between Microsoft and Enable Ireland, The High Tech Assistive Training Course was developed. Now in its fourth year, it is certified by the Dublin Institute of Technology under its Continuing Professional Development Initiative.
Enable Ireland in partnership with a number of Educational Institutions and EU disability service providers recently launched a website www.gateway2at.org, which targets students entering and already in third level and further education, employers and guidance counsellors. It acts as an online resource which provides extensive information on Assistive Technology.