Enabling the disabled

ICAN Awards 2012 – The power of providing employment to people with disabilities

 

By Rashika Fazali

“People with disabilities can be productive too,” said CEI Plastics Executive Director Anura Dole at the Inclusion Created Accessible Nations (ICAN) Awards Ceremony 2012 held at the BMICH on 24 August.

The Sri Lanka Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (SLFRD) along with the guidance and coordination of Motivation Charitable Trust, UK, and financial support from the United States International Agency for International Development (USAID) together with the four partner organisations – Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR), Centre for Handicapped (CFH) Kandy, Navajeevana Tangalle and Organisation for the Rehabilitation of the Handicapped (ORHAN) Vavuniya – recognised over 80 public and private sector companies for their willingness and the effort made to help and include people with disabilities in their work force.

The Chief Guest at the event was Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, who stated that last year, world population statistics showed 15% of people with disabilities.

As for Sri Lanka, Colombo had the lowest and Ampara 2% with a total of 274,000 disabled people. He further mentioned that disability could happen to anyone at any given time and place, and it should not be looked at in a negative way.

Guest of Honour Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal spoke with regard to the bank’s equal opportunity policy. “A year ago, in our employment policy, we stated we will not only be seeking people who are qualified with normal abilities, but we will also seek persons who have other abilities. We believe it takes a very important association of people with different abilities, to enrich an organisation.”

He added: “It is not a sympathetic motive that’s driving us. As an employer, we believe Economic Self-Sufficiency for People (ESSP) with disabilities is not only a sympathetic concept, from a point of few of giving a job to someone. It is a lot more than that. It enhances organisations, it allows people living in an organisation to look at each other in a more positive sense, and I believe it enriches the organisation in the longer term.”

The ESSP project first came to life in 2009. From then onwards, the project was built through informative sessions; communication to society on what they do, community awareness programs to people with disabilities, family and friends, initial assessments about employees attitudes, company policies, physical accessibilities, etc, interventions on basic etiquettes, sign languages, training, etc and a follow up assessment later on; and checkups on the company’s improvement for people with disabilities.

Once these requirements were fulfilled, ESSP then started phase two of their project; helping people with disabilities find suitable jobs. Micro enterprise development training, job fairs, job placements, training of career guidance officers were all part of the job finding and helping process for people with disabilities.

Due to no recognition given for companies that include disable people in their work force, the ICAN Awards was created. The criteria for ICAN Awards include completing the initial assessments, interventions and the follow up assessment by the company, along with ensuring physical accessibility, basic sign language interpretations and company policies.

A company will only be eligible for an award once there are a certain number of employees such as 20 employees or 4% for a gold award, 10 employees or 3% for a silver award, five employees or 3% for a bronze, and anything less will be awarded a plaque as presented by ESSP Project Manager Cyril Siriwardana.

For the second consecutive year, ICAN Awards saw Public and Private Sector companies bag eight gold, 20 silver, 11 bronze awards and 29 plaques for their contribution for an inclusive society.

Abeywardena awarded Gold to CEI Plastics Ltd., Piliyandala, MAS Intimates Unichela, Panadura, Sumithra Garment Pvt Ltd., Polgahawela and Weeraketiya, Sumithra Hasalaka Pvt Ltd., Hasalaka and Nittambuwa, Unichela Pvt Ltd. Slimline Division, Pannala, and Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka, Angunakolapelessa.

Cabraal and Navajeevana Founder Kumarini Wickramasuriya awarded Silver to Brandix Green Plant, Seeduwa, Crystal Sweater Lanka Pvt Ltd., Nittambuwa, D.S. Supper Fit Products, Dickwella, Eskimo Fashion Knitwear Pvt Ltd., Negombo, Hainan Lanka Bicycle Company Ltd., Vavuniya, Hambantota Rural Organisations Development Foundation, Netolpitiya, Hirdaramani Mercury Apparel Pvt Ltd., Katunayake and Seethawaka, Lanka Fishing Lines, Tangalle, MAS Active Pvt Ltd. Shadowline Division, Katunayake, MAS Intimates Unichela Pvt Ltd. Slimtex, Kuliyapitiya, MAS Intimates Thurulie Pvt Ltd., Thulhiriya, National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, Walasmulla, Quantum Clothing Lanka Pvt Ltd., Vavuniya, SINTESI Ltd., Ranala, Stylish Garments Pvt Ltd., Homagama and Horana, Vidatha Resource Centre, Tangalle and Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka, Talalla.

USAID Director of Humanitarian Affairs Adam Schmidt awarded Bronze to Colourit Pvt Ltd. – Pallekele, Hela Clothing Pvt Ltd., Thihariya, Hidaramani Texwood, Katunayake, Interfashion Pvt Ltd., Nuwara Eliya, MAS Active Pvt Ltd. Asialine Division, Middeniya, Nipunatha Piyasa, Middeniya, Noblesear Pvt Ltd., Pallekele, Perfect Garment Pvt Ltd., Dickwella, Polytex Garments Pvt Ltd., Ekala, Vidatha Resource Centre, Okewela and Villa Jayananda, Dickwella.

Consultant of World Health Organization (WHO) on Disabilities Dr. Padmini Mendis, SLFRD President Premadasa Dissanayake and Additional Secretary of Ministry of Social Services M.C.L Fernando awarded plaques to 29 other companies from the public and private sectors.

Special awards were given to Sign Language Interpreter Kelum Indika Samarawikrema and Marks & Spencer Colombo Office.

Siriwardana said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sri Lanka’s public and private sector companies which have come forth, offering employment to a community which has been neglected over time.”– Pix by Lasantha Kumara