Sinéad Burke launches disability initiative for employers

A new employer disability information service was launched today by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D. and Disability Activist, Sinéad Burke

‘Employers for Change’, which has been developed in conjunction with the Open Doors Initiative will empower employers with the information and advice needed to hire inclusively and employ, manage and retain staff with disabilities.

Commenting on the new service, Employers for Change Director, Christabelle Feeney said:

“There are approximately 650,000 people living with a disability in Ireland. Research shows that people with disabilities have far fewer employment opportunities when compared to their non-disabled peers.

According to the 2016 census, only 36.5% of people with a disability (aged between 20 and 64) are in employment compared to 72.8% of people without a disability.

Employers for Change aims to tackle this problem by providing a central source of information and advice for employers that will empower them to employ, manage and retain staff with disabilities”.

The service will consist of a web-based information service and a dedicated helpline giving advice and information to employers about recruiting and employing people with disabilities.

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D., will launch the service along with Sinéad Burke, Francesca McDonagh, CEO of Bank of Ireland, and Síne Breslin, Management Associate, Bank of Ireland.

An Taoiseach commented: “The Government has a vision of a vibrant, inclusive and thriving Ireland where no one is left behind. As part of this, I am delighted to launch Employers for Change, a new initiative to support businesses to better identify, understand and remove the barriers that exist to the recruitment and employment of people with disabilities, empowering people with disabilities to achieve their employment goals.”

“We are delighted to have author, educator, disability activist and Founder of Tilting the Lens, Sinéad Burke as the MC for the launch of Employers for Change. Sinéad is a wonderful advocate and role model for people with disabilities. She has been an inspirational figure who has broken through many barriers and created disability awareness through multiple platforms”, continued Christabelle Feeney.

Sinéad Burke said: “In Ireland, one in seven people are Disabled. Yet, well over half of the Disabled community are unemployed. Employers for Change is a catalyst to create sustainable, equitable change for disabled people and employment. We need to create workspaces, policies, and practices with accessibility as a starting point. As a member of the Employers for Change Steering Committee, I'm keen to support the initiative in providing the education, resources, and support needed to achieve this.”

Employers can access the resource via www.employersforchange.ie or via the dedicated helpline on 085 1579603.