The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched: "Promoting the Right to Work of People with Disabilities" - a toolkit for the private sector to improve the employment of people with disabilities.
The toolkit brings together a large body of information, guidelines, legislation and links to best practices and resources relating to disability. The SAHRC said it recognises employers struggle with disability issues in the workplaces, and in many instances do not know where to go to for assistance.
"The toolkit will bridge this gap and will assist employers to not only have access to information, but also to dispel many of the myths preventing the inclusion of people with disabilities in their workplaces," the SAHRC said in a statement,
Employers will be required to track their progress.
As a companion to the toolkit, the SAHRC has also developed a 'monitoring framework' to serve as an easy-to-use and self-implementable instrument for employers to evaluate their own progress.
SAHRC's commissioner for disability, advocate Bokankatla Malatji, said at the launch: "Real equality can be achieved in employment if we improve education, remove barriers, introduce effective reasonable accommodation, and if we teach and encourage our people to practise, lead and manage inclusively."
The toolkit and monitoring framework are intended to be used in conjunction with other legislation, such as the Employment Equity Act, The Labour Relations Act and the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of SA.
The SAHRC is calling on all private sector employers to work with them to test these tools and resources. Those interested in participating should contact Trevonica Naidu, trevonica@transformationafrica.co.za or 082 498 9721082 498 9721.
Participating employers will have the opportunity to contribute to the establishment of best practices for SA.
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